Protests Escalate in Nepal Demanding Closure of HHRD over Alleged Terror Links

Public outrage is intensifying in Nepal following the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir on April 22, which left 26 people dead, including a Nepali youth, Sudip Neupane. Protests have erupted nationwide, targeting the Pakistan Embassy and affiliated organizations, with a particular focus on the NGO Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD), which is being accused of having links to extremist networks.

On Wednesday, demonstrations were staged outside the HHRD office in Baluwatar, Kathmandu, by two youth groups demanding the immediate shutdown of the organization in Nepal. Protesters accused HHRD of abetting terrorism by allegedly channeling funds to extremist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Pakistan-based terrorist organization whose proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF), has been implicated in the Pahalgam attack.

Chanting slogans such as “Pakistan Murdabad,” “Shut Down HHRD,” and “Justice for Sudip Neupane,” the demonstrators expressed their anger over what they perceive as a lack of government and international accountability in preventing the presence of foreign entities with suspected extremist links. They also burned effigies of Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir, holding him responsible for exporting terrorism in the region.

Background and Global Scrutiny

HHRD, a non-governmental organization operating in Nepal and several other countries under the guise of humanitarian aid, has been a subject of international scrutiny in the past. Concerns about its affiliations were formally raised in the United States. A notable incident involved a letter from U.S. Congressman Michael T. McCaul, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, to USAID Administrator Samantha Power, questioning the continued funding of HHRD despite credible allegations of ties to terrorism.

In his January 2023 letter, McCaul pointed out that in October 2021, USAID granted $110,000 to HHRD under the Ocean Freight Reimbursement Program. This was done despite “longstanding, detailed allegations” that HHRD is connected to designated terrorist organizations and terror financiers. He criticized USAID for what he called “gross negligence” in failing to act promptly after being informed of these allegations by congressional staff in May 2022.

“It is deeply concerning that USAID received credible allegations from my office more than eight months ago, yet took no action. This grant must be immediately suspended pending a full investigation,” McCaul’s letter stated.

He further urged USAID to coordinate with U.S. intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and the State Department’s Counterterrorism Bureau to ensure that taxpayer funds are not being used to aid terrorism.

While the Trump administration had taken measures to freeze funding and suspend questionable programs, the letter has renewed suspicions globally about the legitimacy of HHRD’s operations and the potential misuse of foreign aid for extremist activities.

Mounting Pressure in Nepal

Wednesday’s protest is part of a growing movement within Nepal that is calling for decisive action. Activists are demanding the government investigate the operations and funding channels of HHRD. There are also increasing calls for Nepal’s intelligence and law enforcement agencies to coordinate with international partners to conduct a full audit and probe of NGOs operating under foreign patronage.

Security analysts in Kathmandu say the presence of organizations suspected of acting as soft proxies for foreign terror networks poses a severe threat to Nepal’s national security. “Allowing these groups to operate under the cover of charity work compromises our sovereignty and risks dragging Nepal into regional conflict,” said a former senior intelligence official on condition of anonymity.

Justice for Sudip Neupane

At the heart of the outrage is the death of 22-year-old Sudip Neupane, a Nepali youth who was among those killed in the Pahalgam attack. His death has galvanized public sentiment and ignited a broader debate about Nepal’s foreign policy stance and the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens from international terror networks.

Civil society groups are planning a series of nationwide demonstrations and have petitioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs to investigate all organizations linked to foreign governments or entities with suspected ties to terrorism.

As of now, there has been no formal statement from the Nepal government regarding the allegations against HHRD. However, sources indicate that security agencies are under pressure to initiate a review of the organization’s operations.

The diplomatic community in Kathmandu is also closely monitoring the situation. Observers warn that inaction on this matter could strain Nepal’s international partnerships, particularly with countries like India and the United States, both of which have taken a hard stance on terrorism originating from or supported by actors in Pakistan.

The coming days may prove decisive, not only for the future of HHRD in Nepal but also for the country’s approach to balancing humanitarian cooperation with national security imperatives.

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