Gautam declared martyr
KATHMANDU, March 11: Lawmakers have strongly condemned the act of killing of a Nepali citizen by the Indian Seema Surakshya Bal (SSB) on the Nepali territory in Kanchanpur district in firing on Thursday.
Speaking at the special and zero hours during parliament's meeting on Friday, several lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties strongly opposed the killing of a Nepali by the Indian security force.
Vice-chairman of main opposition CPN-UML, Bhim Rawal, stressed that the government express serious objection to India about the killing through the diplomatic channel.
“The government should raise the issue seriously with India and demand compensation for the victim's family,” Rawal said. He also claimed that the incident was the result of Indian interference in Nepal.
Likewise, Taranidutta Chataut of the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) demanded that the incident be settled through diplomatic channels.
“Province 7 is in grief and tension following the incident in Kanchanpur. The government should probe the deplorable incident and take initiatives for settling the dispute through diplomatic channels,” said Chataut.
Agni Prasad Sapkota of CPN (Maoist Center) expressed serious objection to the statement of Indian embassy denying SSB's hand in the killing.
“This is not an ordinary issue. It is related to Nepal's sovereignty and independence and the government should be serious and communicate through the diplomatic channels,” said Sapkota.
He also demanded that the Speaker issue a ruling to the government to furnish the details of the incident in the House. Sapkota described the Indian embassy's statement as an attempt to cover up the incident.
Kunti Shahi of another ruling partner, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, said that the killing of a Nepali by SSB was just an incident in the sequence of Indian interference in Nepal. “Nepali citizens are being killed by Indian security forces and Nepal's border is being encroached upon time and again. This incident is the result of Indian interference in Nepal,” said Shahi.
Yogendra Chaudhary of Madhesi People's Right Forum Democratic (MPRF-D) said that the Kanchanpur incident has challenged our nationalism. “This is not an ordinary issue. The government should make its position on the incident clear and declare Gautam as a special martyr,” said Chaudhary.
Similarly, Kalasha Devi Mahara of CPN (ML), Anuradha Thapamagar of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Ram Kumar Rai of Khumbuwan Morcha among others also condemned the incident.
Earlier, Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) parliamentary party leader Ashok Rai demanded that the government clarify about the incident in parliament. He said that the government should inform the House about its position after the Indian embassy in Kathmandu refuted SSB's involvement in the incident. Meanwhile, lawmakers from the agitating Fedaral Alliance boycotted the parliament meeting in protest against another incident in Saptari, where five FA protesters were killed in police firing.
Gautam declared martyr: Nidhi
The government has declared Govinda Gautam, who was killed in SSB firing in Kanchanpur, as martyr, said Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi in parliament while answering the questions raised by lawmakers.
Informing parliament about the incident on Friday, DPN Nidhi said that the government has also decided to manage necessary arrangements for his funeral with honor.
The government has decided to provide Rs 1 million to the bereaved family of Gautam and provide free education to his children.
'Police firing in Saptari to prevent grave consequences'
Informing parliament about the details of the death of four people in Saptari district in police firing on Monday, Home Minister Nidhi said that the police force was compelled to open fire to prevent “grave consequences.”
Nidhi said that the police had to open fire and use tear gas to disperse the crowd because of an imminent threat to the security of VVIPs, including CPN-UML top leaders.
“If the police hadn't opened fire, there was the chance of a huge loss on the side of the security forces,” said Nidhi.
He also said that the protesters used household arms and petrol bombs to disrupt the mass meeting of the CPN-UML. The governments has announced providing Rs 1 million each to the family of the deceased in Saptari incident and bear all medical expenses of the injured. The death toll of Saptari incident has now reached five as an injured died on Friday while undergoing treatment.
Eighth Coordination Meeting of APF and SSB being held today
