Two Injured in Clash During Police Intervention at Hunger Strike

  September 11, 2024 By: INSEC

Police intervened in a hunger strike led by former Koshi Province Chief Minister Kedar Karki, resulting in a clash where Diwas Rajbanshi, 45, and Sanjog Gautam, 23, both members of the Nepal Student Union District Committee, sustained head injuries from police batons and were treated at Koshi Hospital on September 10. On the night of September 10, the police arrested Kedar Karki, the former Chief Minister of Koshi Province, for protesting in a prohibited area. The District Administration Office had declared five different locations in Biratnagar as prohibited areas from 3 PM on September 9 until further notice, following Karki’s announcement of his hunger strike. Former Chief Minister Kedar Karki started a hunger strike, accusing current Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki of canceling programs he had introduced, including free treatment for children. Kedar Karki began his hunger strike in front of the Province Assembly Building, located within the prohibited area stretching from Devkota Chowk to Hospital Chowk. After his arrest, the police took him to his home in Tankisinuwari, Budhiganga Rural Municipality, and then released him.However, Karki returned to Devkota Chowk and resumed his hunger strike.

The Constitution of Nepal has provided the right to freedom as a fundamental right in Article 17. In sub-article 2 of the same article, freedoms such as freedom of opinion and expression, freedom to peaceful assembly and without arms , freedom to move and reside in any part of Nepal ,and freedom to engage in any occupation are provided in this article.

After former Chief Minister Karki announced his plan to start a hunger strike from September 10, the District Administration Office designated several areas as prohibited under Section 6 of the Local Administration Act, 2028. The restricted zones include the area from Devkota Chowk to Hospital Chowk, covering the Koshi Province Assembly Secretariat office; the zone from Roadshesh Chowk to Jatuwa Chowk, where the Chief Minister’s office is located; the surroundings of the Chief Minister’s residence at the Koshi Project; a 300-meter radius around the office and residence of the Province Chief; and the area surrounding the District Administration Office in Morang.

Photo 20240910 Morang (2)

Photo 20240911 Morang (1)

Photo 20240911 Morang (2)

 


Binod Subedi