KATHMANDU, Oct 20: The flames of the GenZ movement on September 8 and 9 were raging across the country. From Singha Durbar to the President’s Office, plumes of smoke rose into the sky. Government offices, banks, police posts, and ward offices were being set ablaze. Amid this chaos stood Police Constable Sangita Adhikari, in front of the main gate of the Dang District Court. Together with her colleagues, she prevented the court from burning down.
“Hey brothers, please stop now and go,” she said to the angry crowd, addressing them affectionately as didi (sister). “This is built from our own taxes — please don’t destroy it.” Those few words changed the direction of the mob. Using that window, Sangita managed to calm the protesters surrounding the court and saved it from destruction.
“The mob had started pelting stones at the court gate,” Sangita recalled. “We were scared too, but we remembered the documents and files — the backbone of our justice system. If the court burned, decades of public trust would turn to ashes.”
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Crowds had gathered twice that day — once at 10 AM and again at 1 PM — and each time, she persuaded them to disperse peacefully. She described it as the most difficult moment of her life — a choice between using force or remaining patient. “Our duty was to protect public property,” she said. “But if we had opened fire, the situation could have spiraled further. So we acted with restraint.”
Having joined the Nepal Police in 2012, Sangita — a mother of three — managed to connect with the protesters by calling them “brothers.” Her compassion, patience, and discipline helped save the court. Eventually, the protesters turned toward other government buildings, leaving the Dang District Court unharmed.
After the protests subsided, a review of events began. While the conduct of police in many districts came under scrutiny, Dang stood out as an exception. Sangita’s calmness, intelligence, and sense of duty were widely praised for preventing significant loss of life and property. On October 9, the court honored her with a cash prize of Rs 5,000, and judges and lawyers jointly recommended her for promotion. Recognizing her exemplary service, the government approved her promotion by one rank.
On the occasion of the 70th Police Day, the Nepal Police Headquarters announced Sangita’s promotion from Assistant Constable to Constable, citing her courageous and wise role in protecting the Dang District Court. “This is not just Sangita’s honor but recognition of all those who act with conscience in the line of duty,” said Police Spokesperson Binod Ghimire. “Everyone has learned a positive lesson from this event.”
Sangita’s act is more than an administrative success — it symbolizes the leadership, empathy and influence of women in the police service. The GenZ movement questioned many things — from governance to security systems — yet it also offered new lessons: even amid violence, the light of wisdom does not die.
“As the court was saved, the house of justice survived — and the courage of one woman police officer sent a message across the nation,” wrote social media user Prem Rijal. “Those who uphold duty and humanity never fade from history.”
Alongside Sangita, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Hem Bahadur BK, stationed at Maharajgunj Police Circle in Kathmandu, was also promoted for his special role in rescuing injured police officers and civilians during the protests, the Police Headquarters said.
