KATHMANDU, Dec 16: The Gauri Bahadur Karki-led probe commission formed to investigate physical and human loss during the September 8 and 9 Gen Z protest has recorded statements from Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Ashok Raj Sigdel and four other high-ranking officials of the Nepali Army.
Former AIG Bigyan Raj Sharma, one of the three members of the probe commission, told Republica that the army chief visited the office of the commission on Monday evening and recorded his statement.
“The army chief has recorded his statement in writing as per our inquiry,” Sharma said. Adding, “Four more army personnel also recorded their statement.”
NA Spokesperson Brigadier General Rajaram Basnet confirmed that the army officers, obliging to the rules and regulation of the country, submitted the statement. “We were summoned to give a statement regarding the work done by the Army during the September 8 and 9 protest and we complied,” Basnet said.
New army chief Sigdel takes charge of command
Some media and civil society members had recently raised concern about the army failing to provide security during the September 9 vandalism, in which the country's major administrative hub Singha Durbar and other government buildings were burnt.
With the statement from the NA, the probe commission is now almost done with the investigation with only a few political leaders left for inquiry.
The commission had recently recorded the statements of former IGP of Nepal Police Chandra Kuber Khapung, and former Home Secretary Gokarnamani Duwadi who headed their respective offices during the two days of protest.
The probe commission has also taken the statement from incumbent IGP Dan Bahadur Karki, who was the chief of the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari during the protest.
The commission has also taken the statement from the then Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Chhabi Rijal, who overlooked the security planning of the Kathmandu district.
The probe commission is now left to record the statements of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, against whom the commission has imposed travel bans.
“We are almost done with our investigation as we now have around 4 to 5 persons left for recording statements,” Sharma said.
Interestingly, Oli who was ousted by the Gen Z protest, has been openly challenging the legality of the probe commission and has refused to record any statement.
