The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for a thorough investigation into whether former prime minister Sushila Karki, former home minister Sudan Gurung, Om Prakash Aryal, and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmakers Hari Dhakal, Ganesh Karki, Sulav Kharel, Bablu Gupta, Krishna Karki, and Dr Toshima Karki, among others, played any role in the Gen Z movement that took place on September 8 and 9 last year.
In the report prepared by the investigation committee formed by the commission regarding the Gen Z movement, it has recommended further investigation to determine whether former PM Karki, former home minister Gurung, and others played a role in instigating the protests.
The report also calls for deeper investigation into lawmakers Rajeev Khatri, Som Sharma, KP Khanal, Deepak Bohara, Manish Jha, Jwala Sangraula, Purushottam Yadav, and Ashika Tamang.
Similarly, it recommends investigating activists, content creators, and professionals from various fields, including Hemraj Thapa, Bimal Panta, Khemraj Saud, Aman Pratap Adhikari, Bibek Thapaliya, Rakshya Bam, Sisan Baniya, Asim Man Basnyat, Bhagya Neupane, Tanka Dahal, and Victor Paudel.
Others recommended for investigation include Ankit Malla, Umesh Bohara, Shiva Yadav, Binod Deuba, Saru Sunuwar, Bhim Upadhyaya, Rabikiran Hamal, Nischal Basnet, Pashupati Khadka, Urja Baral, Jerry Tamrakar, Hemsagar Bidrohi, Buddha Chiring, Santosh Rajawadi, Amit Khanal, Deepak Devkota, Gaurav Baral, Himani Rajya Laxmi Singh, and Nishan Mainali.
Furthermore, the commission's report recommends investigating Gauri Bahadur Karki, the head of the inquiry commission formed by the Sushila Karki-led government to investigate the Gen Z movement.
The NHRC has also recommended an investigation into Durga Prasai, coordinator of the Rastra, Rastriya, Dharma, Sanskriti Tatha Nagarik Bachau Maha Abhiyan.
“These individuals made statements about the Gen Z protests before, during, and after the protests, as indicated by their social media posts, published news reports, and intelligence reports collected by the National Investigation Department suggesting their possible participation in the protests. Therefore, a meticulous investigation should be conducted into whether they were involved in actions that led to human and physical losses during the incidents of September 8 and 9; whether their statements incited anger or provoked protesters; whether their actions disrupted public peace and order; and whether they abetted it. The investigation should ensure the right to a fair hearing and keep both the individuals concerned and the public informed. If found guilty, action should be taken accordingly,” the report states.
