Kathmandu, Apr. 5: Minister for Home Affairs Lekhak has outright rejected forming any judicial probe committee to investigate the demonstration, which turned into violence during a pro-monarchy protest in Tinkune, Kathmandu, on March 28. 

Home Minister Lekhak rejected the demand of the opposition lawmakers for a separate committee to investigate the Tikune violence of last Friday, citing that the demonstration was planned by criminal mindsets to destroy public and 

private properties.

Instead of the probe committee, the Home Minister said that each individual’s actions in connection with the incident would be investigated thoroughly, and appropriate legal 

action would be taken.

In a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives on Friday, Minister Lekhak asserted that it was the royalist group that orchestrated the violence at Tinkune on March 28, with the sole purpose of overthrowing and destroying the constitution.

“These were the pro-royalists who instigated the incident at Tinkune. Their only objective was to destroy and dismantle the constitution. There should be no doubt about this. Four provisions in the constitution cannot be changed. Constitutional amendments cannot be forced through terrorism, and sovereignty, geographical integrity cannot be violated. 

The republic was established because the king seized the people’s sovereign power. The people’s sovereignty cannot be taken away. The Tinkune incident was an attempt to steal it,” claimed the Home Minister. 

“The people’s sovereignty cannot be taken away, and that is why the republic was established. We will confront those who wish to seize it. Regarding the selection of the protest venue and the reason for holding two events on the same day, it is clear that both protesting groups repeatedly assured that they would protest peacefully without causing any unrest, but they resorted to violence,” said Minister Lekhak. 

“This is a criminal incident, not a political one. Let’s not discuss judicial commissions. This is not an event driven by any political ideology. If we get entangled in the name of an inquiry committee, we won’t reach the right conclusion. Therefore, an impartial investigation is underway. Let’s assist in the investigation. I am ready to attend whenever the committee of the House calls,” said Minister Lekhak

Similarly, the Inspector General of Nepal Police (IGP), Dipak Thapa, said that the police have been deployed to arrest Durga Prasai, the main commander of the Tinkune incident.

According to him, in connection with the incident, 20 persons have been charged with crimes against the state, and 58 others have been charged under criminal disturbances.

“Most of those involved in crimes have been arrested, but the main person is yet to be arrested,” Thapa said while briefing on the incident when Committee Chair Ramhari Khadka asked the question.

“We are working in cooperation with the Home Minister to determine the charges for arresting the main person,” Thapa said. He further said that on the day of the incident, they had searched Prasai throughout the night. However, he mentioned that it appeared Prasai had managed to escape.

Similarly, the Inspector General of the Armed Police Force, Nepal, Raju Aryal, said that the use of force during the Tinkune incident was based on necessity.

He said that the protesters had obstructed the transportation of injured security personnel to the hospital, and there were incidents like looting the gun. He said that efforts were made to control the situation with minimal damage. 

Committee directs govt to prevent any programmes in Tinkune 

Meanwhile, the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee meeting held on Friday directed the government not to allow any programme to be held in Tinkune, Kathmandu. 

The committee has also instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to take a parental role in budget management, aiming to enhance the capacity of the police with resources.

Two persons, including one journalist lost their lives, in the violent Tinkune protest.