Security Officer Who Ordered to Open Fire in Balkumari Incident Suspended

Kathmandu, Dec 30: In response to the Balkumari incident that resulted in physical and human losses, the government is taking decisive action against negligent authorities. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ announced that the police officer who ordered the use of force without considering alternative options to control the mob has been suspended pending the completion of the investigation.

PM Dahal made this announcement while addressing the 6th national trade union conference of the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC) in Kathmandu today. Alongside the security officer, the personnel responsible for escorting the vehicle carrying Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala have also been suspended. The suspension is attributed to their failure to analyze the security situation before proceeding with the vehicle.

PM Dahal emphasized that the decision to suspend the Chief of the Employment Permit System (EPS) branch was made in consultation with him and at the instruction of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayankaji Shrestha.

The Balkumari incident, which unfolded yesterday, resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals and the burning of the vehicle used by Minister Jwala. The incident originated from the protest of irate youths in front of the EPS office after they were denied entry for the Korean language test.

During his address at the conference, PM Dahal disclosed that a meeting of the Council of Ministers was convened to discuss providing compensation to the families of the youths who lost their lives in the incident. This morning, the Head of the Government conducted a thorough review of the situation, holding a meeting with DPM Shrestha, Home Ministry Secretary Dinesh Bhattarai, and Heads of the security agencies. He further noted that discussions on the incident were conducted with coalition partners.