KATHMANDU, Feb 27: The Election Commission (EC) has written to the Press Council Nepal urging the removal of a BBC documentary released on Thursday, citing concerns that it could influence the electoral process.
The documentary focuses on the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9 and reportedly seeks to hold the then Inspector General of Police, Chandra Kuber Khapung, accountable. While the BBC claims that orders he issued were “leaked” from confidential police sources, the police spokesperson has denied these allegations.
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The documentary was released before the report prepared by the commission investigating the suppression of the Gen Z uprising could be made public, raising suspicions that its timing was deliberate.
Titled “Shot Like the Enemies: Inside Nepal’s Gen Z Uprising”, the BBC World Service documentary allegedly singles out Inspector General Khapung for ordering fire on unarmed protesters. It notes that the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak did not issue such orders.
Although gunfire reportedly occurred only after a curfew was imposed following attacks on the parliament building, the documentary is seen as having the potential to sway voters ahead of the elections.
Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari confirmed that the EC sent a letter to the Press Council on Thursday, instructing that the documentary be immediately removed and warning that failure to comply could lead to legal action under election law.
