Kathmandu, January 24
The National Human Rights Commission has accused the KP Oli government of not being serious and sensitive enough to address the Madhesh movement.
The constitutional rights watchdog said this a day after the government amended the constitution promulgated through a popularly-elected Constituent Assembly to incorporate demands of the United Democratic Madheshi Front, which has been staging a Madhesh-centric movement for months.
Receiving the UDMF’s memorandum seeking a probe into the recent police firing during a UDMF protest in Rangeli, which killed three people, NHRC Chief Commissioner Anup Raj Sharma said ‘with profound sadness that the state has not been sensitive.
He pointed there have been claims police fired bullets aiming at the protesters’ chests, backs and heads. Firing should be the last option, Sharma said, adding: Even if the movement turns violent, (police) should fire below the kneecap.
The UDMF movement is for identity and self-existence, he pointed, adding that such a movement should not be violent. He said both the government and the agitating parties should work towards restoration of human rights.
Sharma assured UDMF leaders that the NHRC will conduct an impartial probe into the Rangeli incident.
The Rangeli incident shows the government wants to stoke communal riots, UDMF leaders said. Hridayesh Tripathi, vice-president of the Tarai-Madhesh Democratic Party, a UDMF constituent, said sister organisations of the ruling parties are trying to stoke communal riots under police protection.
