KATHMANDU, Sept 18: Niraj Acharya, head of the CPN-UML’s publicity and publication department, has said recent remarks by Gauri Bahadur Karki, chair of the commission formed to investigate the Gen Z protests, have raised serious questions about the commission’s impartiality and investigation.
In a social media post, Acharya referred to Karki’s interview with journalist Nimesh Banjade. According to Acharya, Karki said Sudan Gurung, then head of Hami Nepal and now home minister, arrived at Maitighar early on September 8 with ambulances, drinking water, microphones, medical supplies and health workers.
Acharya said those preparations raised the question of whether Gurung knew in advance what might happen during the protest. He also cited Karki as saying the commission had examined CCTV footage and mobile phone location data.
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Acharya further claimed that Karki had said then prime minister Sushila Karki pressured the commission not to take action against people involved in the arson, looting and destruction on September 9. Published accounts of Karki’s interview say the issue of not prosecuting those involved in destructive acts arose in connection with the government’s agreement with Gen Z representatives.
Acharya said the UML had questioned Karki’s impartiality since the commission was formed. Although the party was criticised at the time, he argued that the chair’s own remarks had now raised further questions about the commission’s independence, the scope of its investigation and its findings.
“Were the concerns the UML raised from the beginning merely political allegations, or did they have grounds that warranted investigation? The chair’s own remarks make that question more serious,” Acharya wrote.
He claimed more facts about the protests would emerge. “The dark curtain will now be lifted. The conspiracies against the CPN-UML, democracy and the country will gradually be exposed,” he wrote.
The Karki commission submitted its report to the government on March 8. The government has yet to release it formally, though details attributed to the report have appeared in the media.
