Kathmandu

Opposition protests disrupt HoR, House adjourned till June 8

By THT Online

Opposition lawmakers protest from their seats during a House of Representatives session at the Federal Parliament in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, on Tuesday. Photo: Pradeep Raj Onta/RSS

KATHMANDU, JUNE 2 Opposition parties obstructed the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting on Tuesday, leading to its adjournment till June 8. The session, scheduled for 1 pm, began only after a two-hour delay. As soon as proceedings started, opposition lawmakers stood up in protest and continued sloganeering, demanding clarification and apology from Prime Minister Balendra Shah over his remarks on Nepal-India border issues. Opposition parties have been insisting that the Prime Minister substantiate his statement that Nepal has encroached on Indian territory and seek an apology if it is found to be untrue. Ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), however, has not agreed to the demand. Despite attempts by Speaker D.P. Aryal to proceed with the agenda, including reading communications from the Office of the President regarding bill authentication, the opposition continued its obstruction. Following continuous protests, the Speaker announced adjournment of the meeting until June 8. During the session, some opposition lawmakers also reiterated their demand for clarification from the Prime Minister over his remarks, while the Nepali Congress maintained its stance that he must apologise in Parliament. Separately, Shram Shakti Party Chair Harka Sampang raised procedural questions regarding the Prime Minister's attendance in Parliament, citing House rules and arguing that failure to mark attendance could have constitutional implications. He further demanded that the Prime Minister specify in the House of Representatives meeting exactly where Nepal has encroached on Indian territory. The dispute follows Prime Minister Shah's earlier remarks suggesting that both Nepal and India had encroached upon each other's territory, which has triggered political controversy in Parliament.