oli-denies-ordering-fire-in-nepal-s-gen-z-protests

Former Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Friday refuted claims that he had authorised the firing on protesters during the violent ‘Gen Z’ demonstrations, asserting that bullets came from automatic weapons not held by police. He called for a full investigation into the incident.

 

In his first statement since being ousted on September 9, Oli, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), attributed the violence to “infiltrating conspirators” who allegedly turned a peaceful protest deadly.

 

“The government didn’t order to shoot at the demonstrators,” the 73-year-old leader said in a message issued on Constitution Day.

 

“The bullets were fired at the protesters from automatic guns, which were not possessed by the police personnel, and this must be investigated,” he added.

 

The protests, led by youth opposing corruption and a social media ban, left 74 people dead, including three policemen. Oli expressed grief over the loss of lives while emphasising the need for accountability.

 

“The infiltrating conspirators turned the agitation violent, and this way our youths were killed,” he said.

Also read: Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli resigns

 

Oli also alleged that several government buildings, including the Singhdurbar Secretariat and the Supreme Court, were set on fire after his resignation, while Nepal’s map was burnt. He declined to elaborate on the conspiracies, saying, “time will speak for itself.”

 

Highlighting past challenges, Oli recalled, “The Constitution was promulgated in the midst of a border blockade and challenges against national sovereignty. All generations of Nepalis must unite, to confront the assault on our sovereignty and to defend our Constitution.”

 

Following the outbreak of violence, Oli relocated to the army barracks near Shivapuri forest in northern Kathmandu. After nine days under army protection, he reportedly moved to a private residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur district, some 15 km east of Kathmandu.

 

The second day of the protest saw demonstrators burn Oli’s house at Balkot in Bhaktapur. While the Prime Minister’s Office at Balkot was partially torched, Oli was safely evacuated by the Nepal Army via helicopter.