KATHMANDU, Dec 30: Acknowledging shortcomings in the state's response to the demonstration demanding participation in the Employment Permit System (EPS) examination, the government has relieved Lalitpur Chief District Officer (CDO) Rudra Prasad Pandit, Chief of Lalitpur Police Range, SSP Shiddhi Bikram Shah, and EPS Korea Branch Director Gurudatta Subedi of their duties.
Home Minister Narayankaji Shrestha stated that the decision also includes the suspension of DSP Umesh Joshi and Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Prakash Jwala's Private Security Officer (PSO) Bodhraj Danuwar, both deployed from Lalitpur Police.
All arrested demonstrators in Balkumari incident released
During the opening ceremony of the Sixth Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre in Kathmandu on Saturday, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal acknowledged some weaknesses in handling the incident on Friday.
PM Dahal said, "Our minister's PSO has been suspended after recognizing a serious error in the process of taking that vehicle without properly assessing the situation," said PM Dahal. "Similarly, the officer who gave the order to open fire has also been suspended pending the investigation report."
The demonstration involved youths who failed the Korean language test for shipbuilding work, protesting in front of the Employment Permit System (EPS) office in Balkumari on Friday. They demanded the opportunity to fill out the language test form for manufacturing work in South Korea.
During the protest, police personnel are accused of using excessive force, resulting in two casualties. Protesters also set fire to the vehicle of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Prakash Jwala.
