Departmental action recommended against two DSPs for their failure to fulfill duty in the Balaju incident

KATHMANDU, Feb 21: Departmental action has been recommended against two officers of Nepal Police for their negligence in the incident that took place at Gongbu Bus Park and Balaju area on February 13.

Action has been recommended against Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rabin Bista of Balaju police station and DSP Ganesh Bahadur Bam of Sorakhutte police station.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Himalaya Kumar Shrestha, spokesperson of Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari, said that a five-member committee headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Masood Alam Khan had recommended departmental action as the work of both of them was not satisfactory. He said, "The committee has submitted its report on Monday. In the report, there is a recommendation for departmental action against them.”

Two police vehicles were set on fire in the incident by the agitating transport workers. Similarly, there was vandalism and looting in the Lotse Mall and nearby shops in the bus park. More than 20 policemen were injured in the same incident.

On the second day of the incident, a committee was formed to investigate the truth of the incident under the leadership of DIG Khan. The committee submitted a report to Kathmandu Valley Police Office Chief Additional Inspector General (AIG) Dibesh Lohani on Monday, recommending action against the two DSPs.

The members of the committee were SSP Shrestha, who is also the spokesperson of the Valley Police Office, District Police Range, Kathmandu Superintendent of Police (SP) Sitaram Rijal, Valley Police Office SP Sanuram Bhattarai and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Khumlal Bhusal.

Meanwhile, police arrested 50 people for their involvement in violent demonstrations, vandalism, arson and looting.