Submit your Article

An investigation panel formed to examine the September 8-9 protests has recommended that then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and Nepal Police Chief Chandra Kishwor Khapung be held accountable for the deaths of protesters, most of whom were college students. The Sushila Karki-led government has decided to make the report public after parts of it were leaked to the media. 

The Karki-led government had formed a panel headed by Gauri Bahadur Karki, which submitted its report last week. The onus now lies on the new government, led by Balendra Shah, to implement the report’s recommendations.

The panel has recommended investigating the officials under Section 181 of the Muluki Criminal Code, 2018. This section states that “no one shall cause the death of another through negligent acts.” If a death occurs due to such negligence, the law provides for imprisonment ranging from three to ten years and a fine of NPR 30,000 to NPR 100,000. Additionally, the commission has recommended taking action against dozens of government officials for failing to fulfill their duties.

According to the report, despite being informed about the growing security threats, the Prime Minister did not take timely initiatives to prevent casualties. The panel noted that if military and police coordination had been effective, the number of deaths and injuries could have been significantly reduced. 

The report emphasizes that Nepal, while having a parliamentary system, operates effectively as a Prime Ministerial system. Even when gunfire continued for nearly four hours around the Parliament building, resulting in several deaths and hundreds of injuries, it was the Prime Minister’s responsibility—as head of government—to ensure the protection of all citizens. The failure of responsible officials to act, and the Prime Minister’s inability to prevent further loss of life, represents a major institutional weakness, according to the report.

The commission also raised questions about the role of the Nepal Army during the protests. While army personnel were deployed at key locations such as Singha Durbar and Sheetal Niwas, the report notes that the army did not appear to carry out its duty to protect these sensitive sites. Commanders stationed at Singha Durbar, the Presidential residence (Sheetal Niwas), the Federal Parliament building in Baneshwor, and the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar reportedly failed to fulfill their responsibilities.

It was also revealed that Nepal Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel pressured Prime Minister Oli to resign on the morning of September 9. In his statement to the commission, the Army Chief said he had informed the Prime Minister that the army was fully prepared to manage the situation following the resignation.

The report highlights systemic lapses in intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, and preventive measures, warning that future incidents could escalate without reforms in political and security leadership. It points out that security agencies had insufficient information regarding the preparations made by protest organizers.

 The National Investigation Department, tasked with intelligence collection, failed to gather adequate information. Similarly, coordination among the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Army was found to be lacking.

To strengthen Nepal’s security apparatus, the commission has recommended conducting coordinated training programs with the security agencies of India and China. “To enhance the effectiveness of security agencies, diplomatic efforts should be made to conduct coordinated training programs with the security agencies of the two neighboring countries, India and China,” the report states.

The commission also highlighted the role of online platforms, particularly Discord, in organizing the protests. Groups such as “Youth Against Corruption” and “Yuva Hub” facilitated coordination, decision-making, and political endorsements, including the virtual selection of Sushila Karki as Prime Minister. While the District Administration Office prepared security plans for peaceful rallies, messages promoting violence and Molotov cocktails circulated freely online, largely unchecked by security agencies.

In his testimony, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chairman of the Nepali Communist Party, suggested the possibility of both internal and external infiltration in the protests. Similarly, Rabi Lamichhane, chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, stated that he was forcibly removed from jail against his will and clarified that his party was not involved in the September 8-9 protests. Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah, who is poised to become Prime Minister, emphasized that he supported the peaceful rallies but was not directly involved in the protests.

The cabinet led by Sushila Karki appears hesitant to release the report submitted by the inquiry panel headed by Gauri Bahadur Karki, which was formed to investigate the violent protests of September 8–9. However, portions of the report have been leaked by several media outlets, including Janaastha Weekly.

According to the leaked conclusion cited by Janaastha, security agencies that were relatively active on September 8 became ineffective the following day, a lapse believed to have significantly increased the scale of damage.

The commission has raised serious concerns about the role of the Nepal Army, stating that despite having clear intelligence about the sensitivity and escalation of the situation, it was not effectively deployed when requested by the district administration. The report also recommends action against senior army officials responsible for safeguarding vital installations.

Responding to the findings, Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel said security agencies had anticipated that the protests could intensify. However, due to the absence of a formal meeting of the National Security Council, no concrete strategic decisions could be made in time.

The commission found that highly flammable materials were used in coordinated attacks on key state institutions, including Singha Durbar, the Federal Parliament building, the Supreme Court, and the Presidential Palace. Attackers deliberately targeted locations housing critical documents.

Field investigations revealed a consistent pattern in the attacks: CCTV systems were destroyed first, followed by the disabling of water tanks, destruction of data centers, and attacks on computer rooms. Documents were then burned, valuables looted, and finally, buildings were set ablaze using gas cylinders.

In several high-profile locations, including Singha Durbar and the Supreme Court, attackers used chemicals and petrol bombs (Molotov cocktails), indicating a planned and systematic approach.

The report also reveals that President Ram Chandra Paudel was evacuated from Shital Niwas by the Nepal Army shortly after accepting the resignation of then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Furthermore, the commission has recommended up to 10 years of punishment against KP Sharma Oli, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and Police Chief Chandrakuber Khapung, accusing them of negligence that led to the deaths of adolescents during the unrest.

The panel has also called for further investigation into the arson and looting of historical heritage sites, as well as government, private, and commercial properties on September 9, citing insufficient evidence to reach definitive conclusions.

China has expressed its commitment to work with Nepal’s new government in the country’s journey toward economic transformation and development. 

Beijing has also expressed confidence that a stable government to be formed for the next five years will fulfill the long-standing aspirations of the Nepali people for prosperity and good governance. 

It has further stated that Nepal’s development ambitions can be realized by enhancing cooperation and partnerships in tourism, investment, infrastructure, and green development.

While briefing selected journalists from mainstream media at his office on Tuesday evening about the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress of China, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming said that China stands ready to work with Nepal’s new government to further strengthen bilateral relations, RSS reported. 

He stated that China, which has long been a development partner of Nepal, will continue to extend support in line with the aspirations of the Nepali people, prioritize Nepal’s socio-economic development, and implement agreements reached during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Nepal. 

He also reiterated China’s continued support for safeguarding Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Highlighting the immense potential in the tourism sector, Ambassador Zhang said that improving tourism-related infrastructure could attract a larger number of Chinese tourists to Nepal. 

He also noted that while Chinese investors are interested in investing in Nepal’s hotel and restaurant sectors, they face challenges related to investment security, policy clarity, and bureaucratic hurdles.

According to RSS, he emphasized that prioritizing tourism as a key driver of economic growth and enhancing bilateral cooperation in this sector could significantly accelerate Nepal’s development in a short period. 

He also pointed out that tea processing, packaging, and branding could emerge as another important avenue for Nepal’s economic progress, with potential for Chinese cooperation.

Stating that Nepal could benefit from China’s technological advancements, he stressed the importance of promoting green development and related industries. 

He added that a one-stop policy framework for trade and investment could attract more Chinese investors.

Reaffirming his commitment to further strengthening the centuries-old Nepal–China relationship, Ambassador Zhang said China is ready to work closely with Nepal’s new government on shared agendas of development and prosperity. 

He expressed confidence that a stable government over the next five years would guide Nepal toward development and reiterated China’s support in helping Nepal graduate from the group of Least Developed Countries, RSS stated. 

He also noted that with only two neighboring countries, Nepal would not face difficulty in implementing a balanced foreign policy. 

He expressed confidence that the new government would formulate policies and programs in line with public aspirations to improve living standards and fulfill development goals.

In this context, Ambassador Zhang stated that China stands ready to work with all members of the international community to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. 

He added that China is prepared to participate in the reform and development of the global governance system and make the international order more just and equitable.

Regarding Kalapani, he clarified that it is a bilateral issue between Nepal and India and should be resolved through dialogue and consultation. "It is a dispute between Nepal and China. China attaches great importance to Nepal and we understand Nepal's position", he said. 

He suggested that the Nepal–India mechanism at the level of foreign secretaries could be activated to find a solution.

Expressing confidence that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) would support Nepal’s economic development, he said cooperation could be expanded in agriculture, improving living standards, infrastructure development, and investment. 

He also emphasized the need to fully utilize the tariff concessions provided by China and expressed readiness to support the export of a wider range of Nepali products beyond agricultural goods. 

He noted that there is ample potential for expanding trade and that he has been working with a focus on strengthening bilateral partnership, according to RSS. 

Nepal–China diplomatic and economic relations have grown stronger in recent years. 

Established in 1955, the relationship is based on mutual respect, sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and the principles of peaceful coexistence. 

Nepal regards China as a reliable development partner and a true friend, and China’s continued support in various sectors has made the relationship more practical and result-oriented. Nepal also remains firmly committed to the “One China Principle,” which China highly appreciates.

Bilateral relations have increasingly moved toward multi-dimensional cooperation, particularly under the concept of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, which aims to transform Nepal from a landlocked country to a land-linked country. 

Key projects include the proposed Kerung–Kathmandu railway, upgrading of the Kodari–Zhangmu road, and expansion of north–south economic corridors.

Efforts are also underway to enhance cross-border trade through the upgrading of Tatopani–Zhangmu and Rasuwagadhi points, expansion of dry ports, and improvement of air connectivity. 

Increased flights via Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airports are expected to boost tourism and people-to-people ties. 

Cooperation is also expanding in digital, energy, and telecommunications sectors.

Since Nepal joined the BRI in 2017, collaboration in infrastructure, trade, and connectivity has further strengthened. 

During President Xi Jinping’s visit to Nepal in 2019, more than 20 agreements were signed, upgrading bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership of Cooperation.

This cooperation has had positive impacts in energy, hydropower, health, education, green development, and cultural sectors. 

Coordination has also been strengthened in border management, security cooperation, and control of illegal activities.

The growing strategic importance of Nepal–China relations is expected to contribute significantly to trade expansion, economic transformation, and diversification of transit routes, reducing dependence on a single transit system.

A Colombian Air Force plane crashed shortly after takeoff in the south of the country, leaving at least 66 people dead and dozens injured, officials have said, BBC reported. 

Air force commander Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda said 114 army personnel were on board, as well as 11 crew. 

The plane, a US-made C-130 Hercules used for transporting troops, came down near the town of Puerto Leguizamo, in Putumayo province, according to Reuters.