Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has claimed that he did not give any orders to open fire during the Gen Z uprising in September. Lekhak testified orally and in writing before the Commission investigating the September incidents on Monday.
Lekhak further stressed that the responsibility for the use of force should lie with the security agencies and the Chief District Officers (CDOs).
“The responsibility to assess the situation and make decisions has been clearly assigned by the Local Administration Act and other laws to the security agencies and designated local officials,” he stated in his written submission to the commission
“In the Central Security Committee meeting held on the eve of September 8, there was no plan or decision to use excessive force beyond what was necessary,” Lekhak writes in his statement. “There is neither any legal provision nor established practice for doing so.”
Lekhak has also defended the former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in his statement. Lekhak claimed that neither the Prime Minister nor ministers issue instructions on the use of force nor do they determine what situation or necessity arises while maintaining law and order.
He also described the vandalism that took place on September 9 as a planned conspiracy.
