Balkumari incident: House committee issues order to probe Physical Infrastructure and Labor ministers’ role

KATHMANDU: The House of Representatives, State Affairs and Good Governance Committee has directed the government to investigate the role of Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala and the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security in connection with the incident that took place at Balkumari, Lalitpur last Friday.

Two youths were killed and Minister Jwala’s vehicle was torched in the clash between demonstrators and police.

The Committee at its meeting today also instructed all sides concerned to remain alert and responsible so that such incidents do not recur in the coming days.

Birendra Shah of Chaurpati Rural Municipality-1, Achham and Sujan Raut of Mahabu Rural Municipality-6, Dailekh district died in course of the demonstration over filling up examination forms for the Employment Permit System (EPS) at the EPS Korea Branch Office at Balkumari, Lalitpur. The demonstrators had set the office vehicle used by Minister Jwala on fire in the course of the demonstration.

The government has formed a three-member investigation commission to conduct a fair and objective investigation into the incident. Former High Court former judge Shekhar Poudel heads the probe commission.

Committee president Ramhari Khadka said that the meeting has directed the government to provide additional economic relief and employment opportunities to the families of the deceased.

Similarly, the Committee has instructed the government to provide adequate resources to the security bodies.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Inspector General of Police Basanta Kunwar, Inspector General of the Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal, Raju Aryal, and the Chief of the National Investigation Department, among other officials, were present in the meeting.