KATHMANDU: Investigation panels formed to examine incidents in Sunsari and Siraha last month have concluded that security personnel used excessive force, including firearms, in the heat of the clashes.
The two separate panels have recommended action against police officers involved in firing as well as officials responsible for district-level security coordination.
In Kaptanganj of Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3, Sunsari, the panel led by Joint Secretary Bhupendra Thapa found that security personnel fired 20 rounds on August 10. Both Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force opened fire.
Three local youths—Om Prakash Mehta, Jai Prakash Mehta and Rabindra Kumar Mehta—later died while undergoing treatment after sustaining bullet injuries.
The panel concluded that security personnel failed to follow the established escalation process for crowd control. Instead of first using measures such as batons, tear gas and rubber bullets, they resorted to live ammunition, resulting in unnecessary casualties.
The panel has recommended action against the Sunsari chief district officer, DSPs from Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, and a local police inspector for failing to properly coordinate the security response. The respective SPs were not recommended for action as they were on leave on the day of the incident.
Police ordered firing in Siraha
In Golbazar, Siraha, DSP Ramesh Pal and police officer Suman Nepali were identified as being involved in the firing, according to the investigation panel led by Joint Secretary Pushparaj Shahi.
The panel found that Pal ordered the use of firearms after being hit by a stone and that the order was issued in an emotional response to the situation.
The panel has recommended that Siraha Chief District Officer Surendra Poudel and Superintendent of Police Basudev Pathak be formally cautioned. It also criticised Poudel for failing to provide a responsible account of the firing despite police personnel being involved.
Ganesh Yadav was killed after being hit by police fire in Golbazar on August 14.
The panels have also recommended action against some community leaders from both sides for allegedly contributing to escalating tensions. Those involved in arson and vandalism have been recommended for criminal prosecution.
The Sunsari panel concluded that the power outage during the Kaptanganj clash was not part of a planned operation. A technical investigation reportedly confirmed that the outage resulted from an electrical trip.
Body cameras recommended for police firing
The panel led by Thapa has issued 25 recommendations, including reforms to crowd-control methods and measures to strengthen social harmony.
The Shahi-led panel has made around 50 recommendations, including a call for federal, provincial and local governments to develop and implement a coordinated strategy to maintain religious and social harmony.
The panels have also recommended greater use of non-lethal weapons during crowd control and mandatory body-worn cameras for personnel authorised to fire weapons.
Both panels submitted their reports to Home Minister Sudhan Gurung on Tuesday.
Home Ministry spokesperson Anand Kafle confirmed that the reports had been received. He said the Home Minister had directed the panels to conduct not only a conventional investigation but also a technical examination, including the use of metal detectors, to establish an objective account of the incidents.
The reports are now expected to guide the government’s decisions on accountability and reforms in crowd-control and security operations.
