No one can arrest me: Oli

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli has said that no one can detain or arrest him.

Speaking at a tea reception organized at the party’s central office in Chyasal on Saturday, Oli challenged the legality of any move to restrict him.

“I will see which law or democracy can arrest me,” he said. “Will they just act arbitrarily? Do as they please? Is this not our country too?”

Oli’s remarks came in response to the judicial inquiry commission’s decision to impose a travel restriction on him and several other former government officials in connection with the Gen Z protests of September 8 and 9.

Along with Oli, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, former Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadee, former chief of the National Investigation Department Hutaraj Thapa, and former Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kathmandu Chhabilal Rijal have been barred from leaving the country.

The commission has also written to relevant authorities instructing that they cannot leave the Kathmandu Valley without the commission’s approval.

Criticizing the government’s move, Oli said such restrictions were politically motivated and undemocratic. “They burned down my house in Jhapa, but I am not even allowed to go see it. I cannot go to Dhulikhel to hold a meeting after crossing Sanga? What a strange government!” he said. “Whenever necessary, I will travel anywhere within Nepal’s borders. No one can stop me.”

Seventeen people were killed in the Kathmandu Valley and two in Sunsari during the protest on September 8. The following day, on September 9, protests intensified across the country. Demonstrators attacked and set fire to government offices, including Singha Durbar, the Supreme Court, and the Parliament building, as well as several police stations and private establishments. Hundreds of weapons were looted and thousands of prisoners escaped from jails.

The violence over the two days claimed 76 lives in total.

The inquiry commission led by former Judge Gauri Bahadur Karki is investigating the incidents of September 8 and 9.