KATHMANDU, May 15:  “Who bought you a bungalow worth millions?” This sentence went viral on social media on Saturday. Social media users have been raising their voices against corruption by writing this status since Saturday morning.

A demonstration was also held at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu on Saturday morning with placards that read “Who bought you a bungalow worth millions?”

The general public spontaneously hit the streets demanding action against the culprits involved in the fake Bhutanese refugees scam. Demonstrators chanted slogans against leaders at the anti-corruption protest organized by civil society members at Maitighar Mandala.

Dr Govinda KC was present at the demonstration in Maitighar Mandala along with political party leaders, activists and civil society leaders representing various sectors.

In the same afternoon, citizens also demonstrated against corruption at Narayanchaur in Naxal. Former Prime Minister and Chairman of Nepal Samajwadi Party Baburam Bhattarai, Chairman of Rastriya Swatantra Party Rabi Lamichhane and other party leaders, activists and civic leaders were present at the demonstration.

Dr KC, who is also a medical education reform activist, expressed his solidarity to the protest held at Narayanchaur. He said he  suspects big leaders are also involved in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam.

“Other leaders will not dare to do so much corruption without the involvement of a big leader,” he said, “Now the government shouldn’t be afraid to investigate the Bhutanese refugees scam. The investigation should be detailed, fair, and if the top leaders are found guilty, they should also be brought under investigation and action should be taken. Action should be taken  if  Deuba, KP Oli, and PM Dahal are also found guilty.”

Dr KC claimed that it would be difficult for petty leaders to become corrupt without the involvement of top leaders.

He also claimed that top leaders colluded in helping CPN-UML Secretary Top Bahadur Rayamajhi to go incommunicado, after an arrest warrant was issued against him in connection with the fake Bhutanese refugee scam.

“It is clear that the leaders who have been issued arrest warrants are guilty because they are absconding. Attempting to flee and fleeing clearly indicate that they are guilty,” Dr KC said, “If they escape like this, it indicates that they have the support of the top leaders.”

Protests hype when Baburam Bhattarai reaches

Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai also came to show solidarity with the protest held at Narayanchaur in Naxal. When he arrived, the protestors present expressed their displeasure. The protesters expressed their displeasure claiming that Bhattarai and his wife Hisila Yami were also involved in corruption in the country.

Bhattarai participated in the demonstration even though the people were  dissatisfied with his presence. Bhattarai said that until and unless there is a stable government in the country, there cannot be a fair investigation in cases like the Bhutanese refugees scam.

“Without a stable government, it is doubtful that there will be a fair investigation into the fake Bhutanese refugee scam,” he said, “With the current election system, no party gets a majority, the government becomes unstable when there is no majority. In such a situation, the chief executive cannot take steps as he has to protect the government. There is a flaw in the state’s governing structure and election system.”

RSP chairman Lamichhane, who came to show solidarity with the demonstration, said that the government cannot be termed successful by investigating only a single scandal.

“There are many scandals. Those scandals should also be investigated,” he said, “If the government considers this as a starting point, well done to the government! But it shouldn’t be stopped.”

Lamichhane said that no one can change the subject when the fake Bhutanese refugees scam is being investigated. “Don't protect the culprits of political parties,” he said.

Twelve people have been arrested so far in the Bhutanese refugee scam, including former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand, the then Home Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey, former Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa’s security advisor Indrajit Rai.

An arrest warrant has been issued against former deputy prime minister and UML secretary (currently suspended) Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, but he is absconding.

It seems that half a dozen more “high profile” people will be dragged into this case. According to the police, investigations are being conducted to gather evidence against them.

The government has assured that there will be a fair investigation in this case. However, the involvement of “high profile” people has raised doubts about fair investigation.

For the past few days, the general public including activists have hit the streets to pressurize the government for a fair investigation of the Bhutanese refugee scam.

 
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