Nepal’s interim government has announced financial aid and national mourning for those who lost their lives in the recent Gen Z protests. On Monday, the newly sworn-in Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal said that the government will provide 1 lakh Nepali rupees to the families of the deceased.
In addition, free transport services will be provided to help families bring back the bodies of their loved ones. Aryal also declared that the country will observe national mourning on September 17, with the national flag to be flown at half-mast across Nepal.
These announcements came just hours after Aryal officially took oath as Nepal’s new home minister, marking one of the government’s first steps toward addressing the aftermath of the violent protests.
The Gen Z protests began after former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli imposed a ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter). This move sparked anger among the youth, who heavily rely on these platforms for communication, expression, and activism.
The protests quickly spread across the country and turned violent, leaving 72 people dead. Although Oli later revoked the decision, the massive public outrage and pressure eventually forced him and his government to resign.
In his place, Nepal’s political leaders appointed Sushila Karki, the 73-year-old former chief justice of the Supreme Court, as the interim prime minister. Her appointment marked a significant moment, as she became the first woman to take charge of Nepal’s government during such a turbulent period.
Along with Aryal, other ministers were also sworn in on Monday. Kulman Ghising has been given the responsibility of the finance ministry, while Rameshwor Khanal has been tasked with energy, water resources, irrigation, physical infrastructure, transport, and urban development. Together, this new team is expected to focus on stabilising the nation after weeks of unrest.
ALSO READ: Plant-based diet linked to lower risk of heart attack and cancer
ALSO READ: Non-communicable disease deaths surge in India, women face greater burden
Even as the new government announced relief measures for the families of the deceased, it also made it clear that those who engaged in violence and destruction during the protests will not be spared.
On Sunday, interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki strongly condemned the arson and vandalism that took place during the protests on September 9. She said that these acts were “pre-planned” and carried out in an organised manner by groups that were not part of the genuine Gen Z protest movement.
“The kind of arson and vandalism that has taken place is a criminal act. This was carried out in an organised manner. Those responsible must be punished,” Karki said.
Her statement suggests that while the government recognises the demands of the protesters, it will also ensure that law and order are maintained. The government plans to identify those responsible for the destruction and take strict action against them.
For now, the focus remains on providing justice and relief to the affected families, while also rebuilding public trust in governance. The upcoming national mourning day will serve as a moment of reflection for the entire country, which has witnessed a dramatic shift in its leadership in just a few weeks.
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash