Nepal imposes travel ban on ex-PM over protest violence
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Mr Sharma Oli, the former home minister, the former head of the National Investigation Department security agency and two other senior bureaucrats have been given travel bans.
PHOTO: AFP
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KATHMANDU - Nepal has imposed travel bans on ousted prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli and four former senior officials as part of an investigation into deadly unrest earlier in September, the interior minister said on Sept 29.
Youth-led protests that began on Sept 8 over a brief social media ban, economic hardship and corruption quickly morphed into nationwide fury after a deadly crackdown.
Two days of violence left at least 73 people dead and the Parliament and government offices were burned down, forcing the government’s collapse.
In addition to Mr Oli, travel bans have been placed on former home minister Ramesh Lekhak, former head of the National Investigation Department security agency Hutaraj Thapa, and two other senior bureaucrats.
Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who is leading the Himalayan nation until elections in March 2026, set up a commission to probe the violence.
The restrictions were recommended on Sept 28 by the commission.
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal told AFP on Sept 29 that the ban is “already in effect”.
Commission member Bigyan Raj Sharma said in a statement on Sept 28 that the five men must obtain permission to even leave the Kathmandu Valley, as they “may need to appear for investigation at any time”.
The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry estimates that the private sector, including automobile, hotel and retail industries, endured losses worth US$600 million (S$774 million).
Former prime minister Oli has blamed “infiltrators” for inciting bloodshed, and alleged that rifles used in the protests came from another source. AFP
