It´s unimaginable how the police can beat up journalists for doing their duty--covering news or taking pictures. But even more bizarre is the incident that led to the protests by locals against the police. According to news reports, in-charge of the local police station, Sub-Inspector Baburam Jha, allegedly raped a newly wed bride at the police station while locking up her groom in another room. Instead of taking immediate action against Jha, local police tried to cover up the rape and resorted to excessive force when covering up became impossible. After intense public pressure, including a Janakpur shutdown, police headquarters finally suspended Sub-Inspector Jha and recalled SP Shyam Khadka and Inspector Abhushan Timsina to Kathmandu. But the damage to the police, as an institution, has been done. First, they failed to take prompt action against the alleged rapist and, secondly, when the locals demanded action they were not only denied justice but were beaten up inhumanely.
The Home Ministry has formed a committee headed by a joint-secretary at the ministry. But that is not enough, is the general feeling in Janakpur.
At least SP Khadka and Inspector Timsina should have been suspended from duty until the committee submitted its report. We are not arguing that Khadka and Timsina were guilty-- we actually don´t know-- but as commanding officers on the ground they should have been held to account for what they did or for failing to do what they should have done. Final action could have been taken after the committee submitted its report. But then, this is not for the first time that Nepal Police, or the Home Ministry for that matter, has failed to hold officials concerned to account for their failings. The police can ignore this only at their own peril.
Related story
High court remands Janakpur temple chief priest in custody
