KATHMANDU, Sep 27: In its investigations into the deadly ‘Gen-Z’ protests that shook Nepal, the country’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has blamed the excessive damage left in its aftermath on the government’s failure to anticipate the very scale of the Gen Z protests, general public discontentment, as well as the declining morale within security agencies, responsible for loss of life and property, between September 8 -9, reports Kathmandu Post.
In a monitoring report released on Friday, Kathmandu’s constitutional watchdog said that the demonstrations on the morning of September 8 were peaceful, and violence escalated later in the day after incidents of arson and the deaths of protesters in police firing, leading to widespread vandalism, mob violence, and arson on September 9.
The two days of unrest left 75 people dead, many of them being young demonstrators, security personnel and prison inmates, with additional deaths recorded in the days following due to injuries. The NHRC’s total tally of damages found that 938 civilians and 1,379 security personnel were injured post the protests.
Property damage was likewise widespread, with the event witnessing rampant arson attacks on government offices, political party buildings, private residences, commercial establishments, schools, media houses and police stations.
Weapons were seized from security personnel, while looting and vandalism continued on high, unchecked and unabated.
The prison system was severely affected. Out of 29,000 inmates across 75 facilities, 14,455 prisoners escaped from 27 prisons during the violence. While around 7,500 have since returned, an estimated 7,000 remain missing.
“Stolen weapons have not yet been recovered, and not all escaped prisoners have been recaptured, leading to a sense of insecurity among the public,” the report warned.
Five journalists were injured in police gunfire and physical attacks. Media outlets including Kantipur Media Group, Annapurna Post, Himalaya TV, and others suffered arson and vandalism.
“Journalists reported a fearful environment that hinders their ability to freely report, write, and broadcast news. Overall, there has been a challenge to the exercise of freedom of expression,” the commission further said.
“Damage to business establishments has put the jobs of many employees at risk, raising concerns about rising unemployment.”
In wake of its findings, the body recommended the measures to boost the morale of security personnel, rebuild damaged infrastructure, assessments of private property losses and identification of the underlying causes of the violence to prevent recurrence, urging priority.
(UNI)
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