During a protest on November 2 at the Education Branch of Birendranagar Municipality, police allegedly handcuffed and violently assaulted Bhakta Bahadur Shahi, a parent from Krishna Secondary School, causing serious injuries to his sensitive body parts.
The victim filed a complaint at the National Human Rights Commission, Karnali Province, the next day. According to Shahi, under the direction of Mohan Jung Buda Thapa, Acting Chief of the District Police Office, the police team including Municipal Police Chief Rajan Bhattarai handcuffed him and beat him, causing serious injuries to sensitive body areas.
He stated that he is currently undergoing treatment at the local Maya Nursing Home.
The victim has accused the police of beating the protesters without considering even the minimum standards of human rights during the protest carried out by teachers and school management committees against the teacher transfer decision of Birendranagar Municipality.
According to him, complaints have also been filed at the Provincial Police Office and the Police Headquarters along with the Human Rights Commission. “I was participating in a peaceful protest. The police treated me like a severe criminal, handcuffed me, and attacked my sensitive organs,” he said, “The police used unnecessary force and violated human rights.”
After the incident, local residents and representatives of civil society have expressed objections to the behaviour of the police. Stakeholders involved in the protest, including the Community Schools Federation and the Nepal Teachers’ Association, have stated that using force on citizens who believe in the rule of law and participate in peaceful protests is police excess. They demand that a factual investigation be conducted and the culprits be legally punished.
Teachers and parents of Birendranagar have been protesting against discrimination in teacher transfers made by the municipality and the removal of principals appointed for five years within only one year. The municipality has stated that teacher transfers and position adjustments were carried out based on student numbers, school needs, and the Municipal Education Act. Birendranagar Municipality Mayor Mohan Maya Dhakal claimed during a press conference on Kartik 17 that there has been no injustice in transferring and aligning teacher positions.