Ward Chairman Appeals for Restraint from City Police Amidst Self-Immolation Concerns

Pokhara. Ward Chairman of Pokhara Metropolitan City-13, Kiran Baral, has appealed for the city police to behave with restraint. On Tuesday, through the Mayor, he drew the attention of the city police in the executive meeting. Following the incident where Pathao driver Ganesh Nepali committed self-immolation due to a parking dispute escalating in Kathmandu, he appealed to the city police to behave with restraint. Three people have died due to self-immolation in various places across the country, including that incident. On Wednesday, another youth attempted self-immolation in Mahottari. He has been referred to Kathmandu for further treatment.

It is said that Ganesh committed self-immolation after the dispute with the city police escalated. However, an investigation is ongoing. In Pokhara too, the city police have been confiscating motorcycles and scooters parked on the footpath. Sometimes disputes also arise when they argue with the owners of vehicles parked on the New Road footpath and forcibly take the vehicles in vans. Baral suggested restrained behavior targeting the same incident.

"The extremely tragic incident where a citizen committed self-immolation after a dispute over parking has become a serious warning for all of us," he said. "No administrative action or minor dispute should lead to such a tragic outcome. While enforcing rules is necessary, the behavior, dialogue, and sensitivity shown towards citizens during that process are equally important."

He has demanded the provision of orientation and training for city police on citizen-friendly and stress management, and has requested prior information when controlling or fining vehicles. Baral demands that a separate directive be prepared to resolve situations with vehicle owners who appear stressed, agitated, or in an abnormal state, without using force and with restraint. Although Pokhara Metropolitan City has taken control of vehicles on the footpath, it is preparing to contract out parking on the road. Ward Chairman Baral has demanded that the metropolis manage parking systematically.

"There are public complaints that the police are changing signboards daily and forcing people to pay fines. We must enforce the rules," he says. "However, along with enforcing the rules, it is also our responsibility to protect human sensitivity, respectful behavior, and the dignity of citizens. I humbly request that the metropolis take this matter seriously and initiate necessary policy and practical reforms."

Similarly, he has demanded an investigation and action against the culprits for the suspicious parking at the gate of a media house, which is objectionable as it intimidates the media.