The government spokesperson and the spokesperson for the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have given conflicting statements regarding the government’s decision to remove Nepal Police Inspector General (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki.
Government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel had said that one of the reasons the government removed Karki as IGP and appointed Manoj KC in his place was a directive from the ruling party.
A Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday decided to remove Karki as IGP and appoint him as chief security adviser to the prime minister.
However, RSP spokesperson Jagdish Kharel said that the party had not instructed the government to remove or appoint any particular individual to a position.
“The secretariat meeting held on Saturday issued instructions to investigate and take action over the police entering media offices and arresting journalists. However, it did not instruct the government to remove or dismiss anyone from their position,” Kharel said.
Setopati asked him: “While briefing journalists on Wednesday’s Cabinet decision, the government spokesperson said that the party had also instructed the government to take action on a sensitive matter. What do you make of that statement?”
RSP spokesperson Kharel reiterated: “The party has not instructed the government to remove or appoint anyone. Nor has it said that today’s decision was made because the party had called for action over the arrest of journalists. The government has simply said that responsibilities have been reassigned. The government will probably explain why it made such a decision. However, this was not a directive from the party.”
Speaking to journalists after the Cabinet meeting earlier on Wednesday, government spokesperson Pokharel had said: “There are changing circumstances in many areas at present. The party had also instructed the government to take action on a sensitive matter. That is why his responsibilities have been changed.”
The Cabinet has removed Karki as IGP and appointed Manoj KC in his place. AIG KC was serving in Nepal Police’s Crime Investigation Department.
The Cabinet also decided to appoint Karki as chief security adviser to Prime Minister Balen Shah.
Karki had faced intense criticism recently following police crackdowns on media organizations and journalists.
Reports had emerged of tensions between Karki and KC within Nepal Police, as well as claims that the government was seeking to remove Karki. After these reports surfaced, police targeted journalists and media organizations in an attempt to identify the sources of the information.
Earlier, RSP lawmaker Khagendra Sunar had accused IGP Karki, during a parliamentary committee meeting, of corruption involving the uniforms of election police personnel.
A study committee led by RSP lawmaker Manish Jha has also been formed to examine complaints filed with a parliamentary committee regarding the matter.
