Home Minister on Saptari killings

Setopati: There are reports that police opened fire in Saptari despite the Prime Minister’s order not to do so. What is the truth?

Bimalendra Nidhi: It wasn’t just the Prime Minister, I did not want police to open fire either. Our strategy was to mobilise the security forces as a barrier between UML and Madhesi supporters, and avert a clash between them. I had asked police to use only water cannons, batons, tear gas and rubber bullets if they needed to use force.

But police used live ammunition. Why?

The Local Administration Act allows the Chief District Officer (CDO) to order police to shoot at protesters below their knees to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. The CDO does not have to wait for order from above. In Saptari, protesters had already snatched two communication sets from police. And they started beating up inspector Bijaya Shrestha trying to snatch weapons from the police. Despite the use of water cannons, batons, tear gas and rubber bullets, protesters nearly entered the compound of Gajendra Narayan Singh Industrial Zone where UML leaders were. If police had opened fire only after the clash between the two sides erupted, many more people could have died.

But police did not use water cannons and rubber bullets. Did they?

Police used nine rounds of rubber bullets. They could not use water cannons much because the van was vandalised by protesters. Police also charged batons and used tear gas. Security chiefs have briefed me that they opened fire after running out of all options and just before protesters were about to clash with UML supporters.

The police was crticised for using excessive force in the previous Madhes agitation. Is it possible that the police just cannot aim below the knee?

I have sought an answer to this question from security chiefs myself. I have asked them if our security personnel have been trained to shoot below the knee when necessary.

Reports suggest Armed Police Force was excessively aggressive in Saptari.

I can answer this question only after an investigation into the incident.

Every time such incidents happen, the government simply forms a probe committee. The probe report is never disclosed.

I will this time conduct a thorough investigation, and make its report public.

Violent protests are erupting across the Tarai. How do you deal with this situation?

Right after the Saptari tragedy, I called UML Chair KP Oli and requested him to call off his party’s East-West campaign. But the UML put its program on hold only for three days. I think the UML will do well to rethink and completely call off its rallies. People in the Madhes should also use restraint. Attacking political rivals when they are carrying out a peaceful program is not acceptable in democracy.

The root of this tragedy is the amendment of the constitution. Madhesi Front wants it. So does the government. But UML is dead against it. We need to talk and find a political solution.