An inquiry commission in Nepal has taken a big step in probing the deadly GenZ protests by barring several top officials from leaving the country. This includes former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, along with ex-Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, former National Investigation Department Chief Hutaraj Thapa, and ex-Kathmandu Chief District Officer Chhabi Rijal.
The commission announced this on Sunday, telling government agencies to block their international travel. Officials could face questioning anytime as the probe continues into the protests’ human and property losses. The group also can’t leave the Kathmandu Valley without approval.
These restrictions come amid a deep dive into the GenZ protests that rocked Nepal starting September 8 and 9. Police firing killed at least 19 people nationwide on those first days. In the chaos that followed, more than 70 others lost their lives—some from injuries, others in arson attacks. GenZ protesters, mostly young activists, have pushed hard for accountability, demanding those behind the deaths face justice.
The commission, led by former Special Court Chairperson Gauri Bahadur Karki and set up just last week, aims to uncover what caused the violence, tally the full toll on lives and assets, and deliver a report with clear findings and fixes. It must also outline steps to put those recommendations into action. This move stems from a deal between the government and protest leaders.
The GenZ protests sparked major political shifts in Nepal. Now, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki heads an interim government focused on holding elections for the House of Representatives on March 5 next year.
Beyond the tragic loss of life, the unrest hit Nepal’s economy hard. Protesters damaged government buildings and private businesses, especially on September 9. A preliminary report from the Ministry of Urban Development pegs public infrastructure losses at over NPR 100 billion, with 380 federal sites affected. The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry estimates private sector damages at more than NPR 80 billion.
As Nepal works through this turbulent time, the inquiry commission’s work could bring much-needed answers and healing for those impacted by the GenZ protests.
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