PM 'trying' to make Begum apologize<br/>Civil servants demand Begum's arrest, apology within five days

KATHMANDU, Nov 15: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has said he is working to make Minister of State for Agriculture and Cooperatives Karima Begam apologize for her mistreatment of Parsa Chief District Officer Durga Prasad Bhandari, a high-level government source said. [break]



The prime minister said this during a meeting with senior bureaucrats at his residence Sunday who met him to discuss the matter.



Nepal Government Employees Organization (NGEO), which is close to the ruling CPN-UML, on Sunday issued a five-day ultimatum to the government to arrest Minister of State for Agriculture and Cooperatives Karima Begum and make her apologize for beating up the chief district officer. The organization submitted memorandums to this effect to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers through the District Administration Offices throughout the country.



A group of government employees led by NGEO-Kathmandu President Ganesh Thapa handed over the memorandum to Kathmandu CDO Bhola Shiwakoti. NGEO has threatened stringent protests if the demand for arrest and apology are not met within the set deadline.



Government offices in Parsa that were closed for five days in protest of the minister´s misbehavior opened Sunday.



All government offices in Parsa remained closed for five days reopened Sunday keeping in view the plights of the ordinary people seeking government services. The offices were opened after eight different associations of civil servants on Saturday made a decision to this effect.



Last Tuesday, Begam accompanied by about 50 of her supporters had beaten up CDO Durga Prasad Bhandari at his office allegedly for sending an old vehicle to pick her up at the airport. Begum represents the Madhesi People´s Rights Forum.



After the minister faced strong criticism from various sides including the government, she changed her statement and accused CDO Bhandari of misbehaving with her and "not doing people´s work".



The District Police Office, Parsa has already issued arrest warrant against Begum and sought support from police in Kathmandu Valley following a formal complaint by Bhandari´s bodyguard.



Begum is in Kathmandu but police have not arrested the minister saying it is unaware of such arrest warrant.

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