The high level commission formed to investigate atrocities committed during the popular movement of the country grilled then Home Minister Kamal Thapa and Chief Secretary Lok Man Singh Karki on Friday.
Garbage terror: Passersby walking beside a heap of garbage at Mahabaudha, near Bir Hospital in Kathmandu. Garbage is piling up on Kathmandu streets after the temporary employees of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) started protests from July 13, demanding permanent status, Sunday , July 16 06. nepalnews.com/rh
Former home minister Kamal Thapa talking to journalists after interrogation …
The commission summoned them from 11.00 a.m. on Friday.
Talking with journalists after filing his statement, Thapa said all members of the erstwhile cabinet including the king was responsible for all that happened.
He claimed he had never given orders to the security forces to shoot and kill demonstrators but expressed remorse for the death of 21 people and thousands of other injured.
According to radio reports, supporters of Thapa misbehaved with journalists and warned them not to ask unnecessary questions. They also chanted slogans in favour of Thapa.
Thapa is facing charge of using excessive force to suppress the pro-democracy movement of the country and directing security forces from Army Headquarter to use excessive force against pro-democracy activists.
Former chief secretary Lok Man Singh Karki
(File photo)
Similarly, former Chief Secretary Lok Man Singh Karki said he only carried out the responsibilities under his jurisdiction. He said, “Concerned persons should own responsibility for the atrocities committed during the movement.”
Karki is facing charges of playing an active role in suppressing the movement of civil servants.
Meanwhile, the Commission has summoned four former royal ministers and a police officer next week for interrogations over their role in the suppression of the janaandolan and misuse of state funds during the king’s rule.
Those summoned are former ministers Khadga Bahadur GC, Roop Jyoti, Keshar Bahadur Bista and Prakash Koirala and DIG of the Armed Police Force Dilip Kumar Shrestha.
The commission had already summoned two vice-chairmen of the then council of ministers, some other members, suspended chiefs of the security agencies and people believed to be responsible for suppressing the pro-democracy movement of the country and also hinted that it might summon the then chairman of the council of Ministers.
His Majesty King Gyanendra was the chairman of the council of Ministers during the period.