The District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu, Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and the family of Ganesh Nepali, who set himself on fire outside the Department of Passports in Tripureshwar on Thursday afternoon after pouring petrol over himself, have reached a nine-point agreement.
The agreement, reached during talks held at the DAO in Kathmandu, includes provisions for relief, employment, and education for the victim’s family, and an impartial investigation into the incident.
Following the agreement, the family has agreed to receive Nepali's body.
Key points of the agreement
1. Independent investigation committee: The Government of Nepal will form an independent investigation committee led by a former judge to determine the facts surrounding the incident. The committee must submit its report to the government within seven days of its formation.
2. Process to declare Ganesh Nepali a martyr: Based on existing laws and the findings of the investigation committee, the government will initiate the decision-making process to declare Ganesh Nepali a martyr.
3. Suspension of municipal police personnel: The DAO will write to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City to suspend the municipal police officers who were on deployed at the scene on the day of the incident until the investigation committee’s report is submitted.
4. Employment and education: As per the decision of the upcoming KMC executive meeting, employment will be secured for Nepali's wife based on her qualifications. Additionally, the KMC will cover the educational expenses of their daughter through higher education.
5. Relief and funeral expenses: The KMC will provide a reasonable amount of relief to the surviving family following approval by its executive meeting. It will also manage and cover all expenses for the funeral and mourning rituals.
6. Health insurance: The Ministry of Health and Food Safety will make necessary arrangements to provide health insurance to the victim's family.
In addition, the KMC will cover the family's travel expenses and all accommodation and living costs incurred while they remain in Kathmandu during the funeral and mourning period.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Government of Nepal by Chief District Officer Ishwar Raj Paudel and on behalf of Kathmandu Metropolitan City by Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain.
Representing the victim's family and the negotiation team, the agreement was signed by Nepali's wife Ekmaya Nepali, his mother Sauri Nepali, his elder brother Madan Nepali, his younger sister Sundari Nepali, and members of the negotiation committee, including Dharma Raj Shahi, Bhakta Bahadur Rawat, and Man Nepali, among a total of 13 signatories.
