PM pledges impartial investigation into deadly violence in Tarai districts

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has pledged an impartial investigation into the deadly violence in Tarai districts and urged people to maintain peace, reject misinformation and preserve communal harmony.

In a televised address to the nation, Shah paid tributes to Jaya Prakash Mehta and Om Prakash Mehta of Sunsari, and Ganesh Yadav in Siraha, who died during the protest, and offered condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The prime minister said the government had directed health authorities to ensure that injured victims receive treatment in time.

Shah said security agencies had been deployed immediately after the incidents to restore normalcy, prevent further violence and maintain law and order.

Violence has spread in different parts of eastern Tarai after Om Prakash Mehta was killed in a police firing in Dewangunj of Sunsari on Sunday night. Earlier on Thursday, the Prime Minister chaired the National Security Council (NSC) meeting to take stock of the country’s security situation.

He said the Ministry of Home Affairs had already formed an investigation committee to probe the incidents and assured that the inquiry would be impartial and transparent. “Anyone found responsible, regardless of their position, would face legal action,” he said.

The prime minister said the government had been working continuously to prevent further deterioration of the situation, protect lives and property, and rebuild trust at the local level. As part of those efforts, he said an all-party meeting had been convened at the federal level, while talks were ongoing with local representatives, civil society members, religious leaders, community elders and other stakeholders.

Shah said the Home Minister had already reached the affected areas to monitor the situation, meet victims and strengthen security arrangements. He added that the National Security Council had also reviewed the country’s security situation and taken necessary decisions in response to the evolving circumstances.

“At this sensitive time, I urge everyone not to spread or circulate false or unverified information, rumours, hate content or messages that could fuel hostility between communities through social media or any other platform. I also request all people to trust only the official information and facts released by government agencies,” he added.

The Prime Minister said protecting the lives and property of citizens, safeguarding social harmony and maintaining peace are the state’s foremost responsibility, and added that all government agencies would continue working around the clock to ensure public safety.

“The Constitution of Nepal guarantees every citizen the fundamental right to practice their religion, preserve their culture and uphold their traditions. The government is fully committed to protecting these constitutional rights,” he said. He, however, warned that the government would take strict action against anyone attempting to disrupt peace, incite violence or undermine Nepal’s long-standing tradition of social harmony, tolerance and brotherhood.

Concluding his speech in the Maithali language, the Prime Minister appealed to all citizens, civil society, religious communities, respected leaders, political parties and the media to exercise patience and restraint, and to work together to preserve peace, social harmony, brotherhood and national unity.