KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 5

The Ministry of Home Affairs has warned people not to carry out any kind of activism and protest against neighbouring countries and their heads of state regarding any matter.

The ministry's notice comes after the student wing of the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led CPN-Unified Socialist, a party in Nepal's ruling coalition, burned an effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kathmandu last Friday, in connection with the recent Darchula incident in July. The protesters had also accused the Indian side of allegedly operating unauthorised flights in the Nepali sky.

The ministry's notice, which did not mention the name of neighbouring countries reads, 'The home ministry's serious concern has been drawn towards recent actions such as shouting slogans, staging protest and burning effigy of the neighbouring country's prime minister. We condemn such acts.' It further said action would be taken against such activities targeting neighbouring countries and their leaders, as per existing rules.

In late July, a Nepali national Jay Singh Dhami, 33, of Byas Rural Municipality-, Darchula, was headed towards Khalanga from Maalghat through the Indian route using a tuin, an improvised single cable bridge. The family and locals, who claim to have witnessed the event, have accused two officials of Indian Sashastra Seema Bal of cutting the cable as Dhami was halfway on the rope.

Eventually, he fell into the Mahakali River and died. The next day, Dhami's family filed an FIR at Pangala-based Indian police station against both SSB personnel, accusing them of snapping the cable and asked for immediate investigation and action against the culprits. The FIR also mentions that the SSB had threatened them not to speak about the incident and warned them of dire consequences.

Following the incident, there has been widespread protests, particularly in social media and sporadic road protests demanding action against the alleged perpetrators.

As the road protest escalated on Friday where protesters burned the effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The home minister warned not to hold such protests in the coming days. 'Nepal government is committed not to take action against any countries in this land as it has always favoured friendly relationships with all the countries.

We urge all not to act in a way that jeopardises the dignity and respect of neighbouring countries.'

The ministry also asked all to find a solution to all kinds of tensions through talks and diplomatic means.

A version of this article appears in the print on September 6 2021, of The Himalayan Times.