KATHMANDU, AUGUST 4

CPN-Maoist Centre Spokesperson Narayankaji Shrestha has urged India to seek apology for the role of Indian Seema Suraksha Bal in the incident wherein a Nepali youth went missing in the Mahakali River.

In his address to the special session of the National Assembly today, the spokesperson for the party in the coalition government claimed that Jay Singh Dhami vanished in the river after SSB personnel dismantled a ropeway the youth was using to cross the river. He termed the incident inhumane, cruel and condemnable.

"India should immediately seek apology for the incident publicly," he said. He also demanded stern action against the guilty in the case.

"Such incidents should not recur in the future," he added.

He praised the government for forming an investigation committee to look into the matter and take initiative to address the issue diplomatically.

He also urged the government to carry out investigation promptly and demanded that the Government of India take action against the guilty and ensure justice to the bereaved family. "Nepal always wishes to have a good and friendly relationship with India and it seeks resolution of all problems in a positive way through diplomatic dealing," said Shrestha.

The leader warned that any kind of dominating behaviour against nationality, sovereignty, and geographical integrity would be unacceptable.

Stating that the country was scourged by border encroachment time and again and there was the constant threat of incidents of inundation in some settlement due to river embankments and disproportionate construction of barrages, he called on the political parties to unite against foreign meddling.

Stating that some unequal treaties were being imposed and there was foreign meddling in domestic affairs, he urged the political parties not to stay silent over such tendencies for personal gain and vested interest.

He drew the attention of the government towards the fact that Nepal's resources should be used for mutual benefit at a time when foreigners were suppressing the resources merely for their own benefits.

Admitting that there were some internal disputes in some parties, Shrestha said, "Nepali citizens and political parties stand together in favour of nationality in the time of need."

He urged political parties and the government to move ahead unitedly and become serious regarding matters of the constitution and democracy amid the prevalence of undemocratic practices, dictatorship, individualism and a corrupt mindset.

Shrestha stated that not only former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, but all the parties involved in the dissolution of the House of Representatives should be held responsible. He appealed to all the parties to be responsible and carry out activities accordingly.

He also demanded that the government make immediate arrangement of vaccines against COVID-19 and relief package to the landslide and flood victims.

Similarly, speaking in the NA session, lawmakers Anita Devkota, Ramesh Jung Rayamajhi and Gopi Bahadur Karki expressed concern about the Mahakali incident and sought action against the guilty and delivery of justice to the victim's family.

A version of this article appears in the print on August 5 2021, of The Himalayan Times.