Gandaki begins cleanup, repair to restore government services

POKHARA: Preparations have begun to open government offices that were targeted by protesters during the Gen Z protest last week.

A meeting of provincial government secretaries held on Sunday decided to first prepare official damage reports in the presence of police and proceed with cleanup and repair works.

To prevent disruption of essential services, the meeting decided to arrange a minimum basic infrastructure to resume office operations after the cleanup works are completed. It also decided to file claims with insurance companies for damages to government vehicles.

The meeting also decided not to assign staff to non-essential duties, not to sanction leave and to give top priority to service delivery. Likewise, security agencies have been requested to give special attention to the protection of office premises and public property.

On Tuesday, during the Gen-Z protests, nearly four dozen government offices of all three levels, including the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, several ministries, the Gandaki Province Assembly, and the Pokhara Metropolitan City Office and its ward offices, were attacked by the protesters. Private homes, businesses and commercial establishments were also vandalized or set on fire.

Pokhara Metropolitan City has announced that it will operate services from alternative locations after its New Road office was set on fire. According to the metropolis, it will provide services from six locations, including the Pokhara City Hall, from Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Kaski District Court partially resumed its services from Sunday. According to Court Registrar and Under-secretary Rajan Khanal, a full court meeting has decided that the court, for the time being, will only handle cases related to police custody extension, arrest warrant approvals or issuances, habeas corpus petitions, and remand hearings for defendants presented with charge sheets.