KATHMANDU, Sep 27: Former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli claimed that the current interim government led by Sushila Karki was formed on the foundation of terrorist acts.
Addressing the leaders and cadres of his party at his temporary residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, on Saturday, Chairman Oli said that he had not given any order to open fire against protestors involved in Gen Z protests on September 8. This is the first time Chairman Oli directly addressed the gatherings of the party’s leaders and cadres after he stepped down as prime minister on September 9.
Notably, at least 19 youths from the Gen Z protest lost their lives in police firing on September 8. The death toll of Gen Z protests has already climbed to 74 and around 400 youths were severely injured as the country witnessed a number of casualties in different parts of the country on September 9.
'Sameer' is not about terrorism but idea of terrorism
Commenting on the formation of the current government, Chairman Oli said that it was not constitutional. “Whatever is happening in the country is not a solution. A solution cannot come from undemocratic ways,” he maintained.
Chairman Oli also claimed that he in his capacity as the prime minister did not order police to open fire against the Gen Z protestors. “The Prime Minister neither gives the order to fire nor knows about the firing in advance,” he said. “I was saddened by the event (the death of 19 youths). I asked the security agencies how it happened. I said I would investigate the issue through a legal commission.”
Chairman Oli also claimed a large number of deaths were caused during arson and vandalism that were carried out in the name of Gen Z protestors after he tendered his resignation as the prime minister on September 9. “I tried my best to stop a similar incident the next day. But upon realizing that the situation had already spiralled out of my control, I resigned from the prime ministership. But the arson and vandalism continued,” Oli said.
Commenting on the high-level investigation commission formed by the government, Oli said that the probe body has the right to investigate the incident. “The prime minister neither gives the order to fire nor knows about the firing in advance,” he added.
While urging all escaped inmates to return to their respective prisons, Oli asked everyone to return the weapons that were looted from various police outposts during the protest. “Otherwise, they will have to face criminal charges from the government in the future,” he warned.
