KATHMANDU, Dec 30: The government has approved a relief package of Rs 1 million each for the families of two young individuals who lost their lives in a police firing incident at Balkumari in Lalitpur on Friday. An emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers held in Baluwatar on Saturday took the decision to this effect.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Rekha Sharma announced that the relief would be extended to the families of Birendra Shah from Achham and Sujan Raut from Dailekh. Additionally, the government has pledged to cover the medical expenses of those injured during the incident.

The unfortunate event unfolded as youths gathered in Balkumari on Friday, advocating for the inclusion of shipbuilding applicants in the Korean language test for the manufacturing sector. In response to the intensifying protest, the police used force, leading to the tragic deaths of 22-year-old Birendra Shah from Doti and 23-year-old Sujan Raut from Dailekh.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal convened a security meeting in Baluwatar on Saturday morning in the wake of widespread protests following the incident. The meeting, attended by security officials, including Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, provided a comprehensive briefing on the incident. The relief amount, recommended during this meeting, was approved by a subsequent cabinet meeting.

Sharing the decision, Minister Sharma stated, "The government has decided to provide Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) to the families of each of the deceased, and the government will cover the medical expenses of all those injured in the incident."

Furthermore, the meeting acknowledged a lapse in security measures during the incident, ranging from the security of the minister to the handling of the demonstration. Minister Sharma assured that the government is committed to conducting an impartial investigation into the incident and ensuring that the perpetrators are held accountable.

 
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