Lawmakers Criticize Government Over Sunsari Incident

Kathmandu. Lawmakers have strongly criticized the government over the incident in Captainganj, Sunsari. In Friday's National Assembly meeting, taking special time, lawmakers demanded that the Prime Minister inform the House about the tension that arose in Sunsari and other Terai districts. They also drew the attention of the Chairperson to rule the government to respond to the House about the religious tension that arose in the Madhesh. Nepali Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker Jayanti Devi Rai said that the murder of Omprakash Mehta in Captainganj has shaken and stunned the country. She stated that the Prime Minister himself should be present at such a sensitive time and provide information to the House about the situation and the overall state of affairs. She mentioned that the recent developments are becoming more complicated and are seriously affecting internal conflict, social harmony, and religious tolerance. She accused the government of not appearing sufficiently serious about such a sensitive incident. Lawmaker Rai said that the Prime Minister has not even attended the all-party meeting that the government itself should have called. She claimed that if the Prime Minister had addressed the nation when the tension started, such a great loss would not have occurred. She also demanded an impartial investigation into why and on whose orders the firing took place in Sunsari. Speaking in the House, lawmaker Rai said, 'Looking at the nature of this incident, it is becoming more complicated.' She added, 'This is increasing internal conflict and promoting the incitement of social harmony and religious tolerance.' Questioning the government's role, she said, 'The government does not seem serious about such a sensitive incident; the Prime Minister has not even attended the all-party meeting that it should have called.' She further said, 'If the Prime Minister had addressed the situation as soon as the tension started, perhaps such a great loss would not have occurred.' Demanding an investigation and ruling, she said, 'Therefore, the government must answer, why was there firing today? On whose orders was the firing done?' She asked, 'Was the firing done by the police or someone else? The truth of this matter must be investigated.' She added, 'Why are the security mechanisms becoming weak and controversial? I want to demand from you, Mr. Chairperson, to rule the Prime Minister to answer these questions.' CPN (UML) Chief Whip Roshani Mechhe condemned the government for choosing the path of cruelty and barbarism instead of resolving the problems in the Madhesh through mutual dialogue. She accused the government of remaining silent while Sunsari and other parts of the Madhesh province were burning. Speaking in the House, Chief Whip Mechhe said, 'Is the government there to save citizens or to fire bullets?' She added, 'The government remained silent while the fire of religious tension was burning in Sunsari and other parts of the Madhesh province.' Lawmakers have strongly demanded that the government make its official stance on the sensitive incident in the Madhesh public through the parliament.