Kathmandu, September 6

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bamdev Gautam today said 29 people including 10 security personnel had died till date after movements were launched against the demarcation of Pradeshes.

Addressing the Parliament today Home Minister Gautam said two persons and 17 demonstrators had died.

On Friday, Speaker Subas Nembang had directed the government and Home Minister to furnish answers on issues raised by lawmakers by also including the government’s action against demonstrators.

Gautam said 83 security personnel and 112 demonstrators were injured in clashes, 43 government buildings and 30 private houses were torched and damaged while 24 government-owned and 172 private vehicles were torched.

He claimed that demonstrations in Tarai districts were getting violent and they were trying to take control over the districts by forcing government officials to leave.

Home Minister Gautam added that protesters have been using domestic weapons, including spears, and targeting party and government offices.

He also claimed that lawmakers were also inciting the demonstrators to revolt with local weapons, which was unfortunate and the government was investigating this.

Earlier, Gautam had provided a tape of lawmaker Amresh Singh and Rajendra Mahato during the Parliament meeting.

He clarified to the House that the government wouldn’t let anyone participate in protests with any kind of weapon and it would do everything to control violent activities. “No one is allowed to engage in violent activities,” he said.

Urging demonstrators to maintain restraint and make their protest peaceful, Gautam suggested that they remain aware of possible infiltration in their demonstrations.

Home Minister Gautam also directed security forces not to use unnecessary force unless their lives were under threat.

On the issue of drought in Tarai districts, Gautam said the government had already allocated budget for 1,000 shallow tube-wells and 14 deep tube-wells and they would be installed as soon as the demonstrations ended.

Gautam also informed that government’s request to Saudi Arabian government to increase the quota of Nepalis going Mecca and Medina for Hajj was not accepted and therefore Nepali Muslims would begin their religious journey from tomorrow. The next meeting of Parliament has been scheduled for 11:00am on September 15.