Nobody is allowed to create chaos in the name of identity: DPM Shretha

KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayankaji Shrestha has made it clear that legal action will be taken against those who attacked UML leaders in Koshi Province.

Addressing the meeting of the House of Representatives on Friday, Shrestha said that nobody is allowed to create chaos in the name of identity. He added that the government cannot grant exemption to any activities that disregard the constitution and laws, engage in disruptive behavior, or pose a threat to the security of individual leaders.

“Pro-identity groups placed barriers on the road to stop the car of province assembly member Ram Rana Magar. But nobody smeared soot on him and manhandled him as has been claimed,” Shrestha clarified.

He also said protesters attempted to remove the flag from the car of Deputy Speaker of Koshi Province, Srijana Danuwar, and pelted stones at the vehicle. “The police have initiated the necessary process to bring the culprits to justice,” Shrestha said.

Earlier, CPN-UML lawmakers had requested answers from the home minister regarding the attack on the former minister and member of Koshi Province Assembly, Ram Rana and Deputy Speaker Srijana Danuwar.

UML lawmaker Yogesh Bhattarai sought clarification from the home minister regarding the attack on Rana in Ilam and the Deputy Speaker of Koshi Province, Sirjana Danuwar, in Udayapur.

“It is the prerogative of the provincial assembly to determine the name of the province. We accept whatever name is chosen through a democratic process,” Bhattrai said. “If the province assembly changes the name through proper procedures, we accept it. However, religious, ethnic, and communal issues are not acceptable.”