Dahal urges govt to conduct impartial probe into Sunsari incident

KATHMANDU: Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has urged the government to conduct an impartial investigation into the Sunsari incident, warning that the violence could fuel communal tensions if not handled properly.

Addressing the House of Representatives on Thursday, Dahal said the government must disclose how a dispute during a religious procession escalated into a fatal incident.

“The dispute that arose during the Bolbam religious procession in Sunsari’s Kaptangunj escalated into a tragic incident. There are widespread concerns that it could take the form of a larger communal conflict,” he said.

Questioning the role of security agencies, Dahal asked whether the situation had warranted the use of lethal force.

“What was the role of the security agencies during the incident? Was there really a situation that required police to open fire?” he asked.

Dahal also urged the government to draw on the experience and expertise of senior political leaders in addressing the country’s growing challenges.

Taking aim at Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s leadership style, Dahal warned that it would be unfortunate for the country if the government believed it could function without consulting others. “If the government is driven by the mindset that ‘I alone am enough,’ and acts with arrogance, it will be unfortunate for the nation,” he said.

Referring to the NCP’s past political struggles with the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and other parties, Dahal said those experiences could help the current government.

He added that undermining the opposition, insulting dissenting voices and avoiding dialogue would ultimately create difficulties not only for the government but also for the nation and its people.