Nepal police arrest former prime minister and former home minister over September protest deaths
NBC News • • world
Key Points:
- Former Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli and ex-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested over the deaths of dozens during violent protests in September that led to the government's collapse and new elections.
- The arrests were conducted by police at their residences near Kathmandu, with Home Minister Sudan Gurung emphasizing that the actions represent justice, not revenge.
- A government commission recommended up to 10 years imprisonment for Oli, Lekhak, and the police chief for their roles in the crackdown on protesters.
- The detentions occurred shortly after the inauguration of a new government led by Balendra Shah, whose Rastriya Swatantra Party won a landslide in recent parliamentary elections.
- The protests on September 8-9, driven by youth anger over corruption and poor governance, resulted in 76 deaths, over 2,300 injuries, and widespread destruction of government and police buildings.
