BUTWAL, April 21: Despite three tiers of security, a man on Saturday waved black flag at Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli who had reached to Butwal to inaugurate Jitgadhi Bijaya Utsav.
PM Oli had just started addressing the crowd when Rudra Prasad Ghimire of Butwal-11, Majuwa showed a black flag to him. Ghimire, who works in a local dairy industry, was an active cadre of then CPN (Maoist-Center). According to him, he just wanted to warn the government regarding the rising inflation in the country and unemployment among youths.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dil Bahadur Malla of Area Police Office (APO), Butwal, informed Republica that police have started investigation by arresting the thirty-year-old Ghimire.
The arrestee had managed to wave the flag at the PM by chanting patriotic slogans. PM Oli was speechless for a while after seeing Ghimire moving toward the stage carrying the black flag.
Black is bold
As soon as police arrested the person, PM Oli smiled and continued his speech saying, “Someone might have sent him.”
Do not run after rumors: PM Oli
Stating that some parties are spreading rumors to create instability in the country, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the citizens not to run after fake news and rumors.
According to him, some groups are not happy with the government’s efforts at peace and development. While addressing the crowd during the inauguration program of Jitgadhi Bijaya Utsav on Saturday, PM Oli stressed the need for ending anti-constitution activities to lead the nation towards prosperity.
Jitgadhi Bijay Utsav is celebrated to mark the victory of Nepal Army soldiers over British army some 204 years ago. “While the nation is busy bringing in change and development, some are finding ways to become revolutionaries by conducting irrational activities,” said PM Oli. Indirectly pointing at the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) led by Netra Bikram Chand, the PM urged the citizens not to encourage their activities.
Speaking at the program, he also accused some people of running after religion. “How religious are those who run after religions?” he questioned. He assured that the new federal setup would bring development and good governance in the country as dreamed by the people.
“By defeating the British troops, the team of Nepal Army led by Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa saved our dignity and integrity,” said PM Oli. He also stated that Nepal is not only a country of the brave but also a country of intellectuals. He assured that the government would make efforts for the conservation of historical sites in the country.
Minister for Defense Ishwar Pokharel stated that Nepal has never celebrated Independence Day because it has never been enslaved by any other country. Bishnu Paudel, General Secretary of Nepal Communist Party stressed the need for providing reasonable compensation to the public for the conservation of Jitgadhi pillars.
Various other leaders and representatives attending the program stressed the need for protecting the pillars of the Jitgadhi fort and developing the local unit as a tourist site. Locals of Butwal started celebrating the Jitgadhi Bijaya Utsav from last year.
