Kathmandu, July 10 (ANI): The Balen Shah-led Nepal government has come under sharp criticism from opposition leaders and even within the ruling coalition after a 25-year-old motorcycle rider allegedly self-immolated near the Department of Passports building in the capital. Lawmakers have demanded accountability and questioned the administration's response.
Opposition and ruling party lawmakers criticise government
Nepali Congress lawmaker Basana Thapa accused the government of silence and mishandling issues related to evicted squatters and economically vulnerable citizens. "Prime Minister (Balendra Shah), it is time to take off the dark glasses. Citizens do not feel safe just by painting the green buses of Sajha Yatayat blue. Security is felt when the state provides justice, creates jobs and maintains good governance," Thapa said.
The victim, who sustained about 60 percent burns, was admitted to Bir Hospital in Kathmandu. The incident occurred after Kathmandu's Metropolitan Police allegedly locked his motorcycle and imposed a fine while he was collecting goods. A week earlier, the victim had messaged his nephew saying metropolitan police seized his motorcycle and fined him NPR 1,000. On Thursday, police again locked the wheels, and the victim refused to pay the fine as officers prepared to remove the vehicle. The family blamed repeated fines and pressure on economically vulnerable workers for worsening his distress.
Government defends actions, forms probe committee
Home Minister Sudan Gurung defended the government in Parliament, stating the incident fell under local government jurisdiction, not federal. "We have a three-tier government. The traffic did not lock the wheels at that place. Is there a video showing the traffic locking the wheels? It was the municipal police. Whose local government is it now? It is the Rastriya Swatantra Party? The two-tier government is with you. You made the laws; we are following that law," Gurung said.
Following the incident, the government formed a five-member committee headed by Deputy Inspector General Govinda Thapaliya to investigate. Gurung announced, "To investigate the case, we have formed a five-member committee under the leadership of DIG Govinda Thapaliya. Three Metropolitan Police officers have been taken into custody to further investigate them and we will investigate the case impartially." The committee will examine circumstances leading to the incident and the role of police personnel.
Victim's background and protests
The rider, originally from Mugu in north-western Nepal, lived in Kathmandu while preparing to seek foreign employment in Dubai and studying for government service exams. His death triggered street protests and parliamentary debate. Ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Asika Tamang said the incident reflected challenges faced by thousands of self-employed youths. "This incident is not just the tragic end of one person. It is also a serious signal to draw the state's attention to the practical problems faced by thousands of self-employed youth. It should not be about creating unnecessary suffering for the youths. It is the responsibility of the state to make its working environment safe and comfortable," Tamang said.
CPN-UML parliamentarian Ain Bahadur Mahar accused the state of failing citizens. "The government should stop doing stunts. The state has led citizens to self-immolation; it should prevent them from reaching those situations. Whether they are squatters or Ganesh Nepalis, the state is forcibly pushing citizens to the brink of death. The current leadership should take responsibility for this," Mahar said.
Government response and medical care
The Nepal government had planned to shift the victim to AIIMS in New Delhi but postponed after doctors advised his condition was too unstable for transfer. The government arranged an air ambulance and announced all medical expenses would be covered. Videos on social media showed the injured man being taken to hospital, with allegations he was made to walk by police after the incident.
