Footpath Business Resumes as Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Scale Back Operations After Self-Immolation Incident

Kathmandu. Business activities have started on the footpaths of main areas within the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, including New Road, Sundhara, and Baneshwor. The roads and footpaths, which appeared very organized, clean, and disciplined just two days ago, now look chaotic. Metropolitan police are absent from the busiest areas of the metropolis. The main reason for the metropolitan police's reluctance to patrol the streets and withdraw from their regular duties is the Ganesh Nepali self-immolation incident. A minor dispute that arose when the metropolitan police, deeming it a violation of rules, 'wheel-locked' a motorcycle parked haphazardly in front of the Passport Department in Tripureshwor, quickly escalated. During that dispute, Ganesh Nepali, a resident of Lalitpur, who became enraged, attempted self-immolation by dousing himself with petrol. Nepali, who was severely burned, tragically died during treatment at the hospital, and this incident garnered significant national attention, outrage, and sympathy. Following this tragic event, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the Metropolitan Police Administration have come under immense public pressure, severe criticism on social media, and security risks. Amidst this, a 9-point agreement was reached between the Government of Nepal (including local levels) and the victim's side concerning the incident involving Nepali. According to the agreement reached at the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, an independent investigation committee led by a former judge will be formed to conduct a factual and impartial investigation into the incident. The committee is to submit its report to the government within seven days of its formation. Furthermore, the third point of the agreement states, 'The Kathmandu Metropolitan City will be notified by the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, to suspend the personnel of the Metropolitan Police Force of Kathmandu Metropolitan City who were on the front lines at the scene of the incident on the day it occurred, pending the investigation commission's report/recommendations.' This agreement has further demoralized the city police, according to their reasoning. 'Now, how will we take action? There might be shortcomings, but city police will hesitate to wheel-lock vehicles parked in no-parking zones now,' says one city police officer.

Home Minister's Statement in Parliament, City Police a Burden