The Inquiry Commission formed to investigate the physical and human losses that occurred during the 'Gen Z' movement protests on September 8 and 9 is starting its work from today.
The officials of the three-member commission, chaired by former Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki, took the oath on Wednesday. The Commission, which includes Bigyan Raj Sharma and Bishweshwar Prasad Bhandari as members, will now proceed with the investigation starting today.
The commission has been entrusted with five terms of reference (ToR) and must submit its report with recommendations to the interim government of Nepal within three months from the date of commencement of its work.
5 terms of reference for the Inquiry Commission
1. To investigate the physical and human losses that occurred during the protests in Kathmandu and various other parts of the country on September 8 and 9.
2. To inquire into the causes of the incidents and submit a definitive report with recommendations.
3. To receive and analyze information or petitions related to the physical and human losses and provide necessary recommendations regarding action.
4. To present measures and suggestions to be adopted to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
5. To present a clear action plan for the implementation of the suggestions mentioned in the report.
Working procedure of the Inquiry commission
(a) The Commission shall perform its duties in accordance with the Inquiry Commission Act, 2026 BS. (b) The Commission shall work independently and impartially and shall not be subject to anyone's pressure or influence.
Tenure and staffing of the Inquiry Commission
(a) The Commission shall submit its report with recommendations to the Government of Nepal within three months from the date of commencement of its work. (b) The Ministry of Home Affairs shall provide seven necessary personnel (Joint Secretary-1, Under Secretary-1, Section Officer-1, Nayab Subba-1, Computer Operator-1, Light Vehicle Driver-1, and Office Assistant-1) for the Commission's office.
Service, benefits, and other provisions for the chairman and members
(a) The chairman of the Commission shall be provided with a salary equivalent to a Minister of the Government of Nepal, and a monthly allowance of sixty thousand rupees for a driver, fuel, vehicle, and communication. (b) The members of the Commission shall be provided with a salary equivalent to a Minister of State of the Government of Nepal, and a monthly allowance of sixty thousand rupees for a driver, fuel, vehicle, and communication. (c) Employees working in the Commission's Secretariat shall be provided with an allowance of 25 percent of the initial scale of their current position. (d) The Ministry of Home Affairs shall arrange necessary logistics, furniture, etc., for the Commission. (e) The Ministry of Finance shall provide the necessary budget to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the Commission and its Secretariat.
The Secretariat of the Inquiry Commission will be located in Kathmandu, and a liaison office will be established at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Context of the protests
During the anti-corruption protests by the Gen Z groups on September, the government adopted a policy of suppression, resulting in the death of 17 youths in Kathmandu and two in Itahari from police bullets. The following day, on September 9, the movement became more violent and destructive, causing further human and physical losses.
So far, a total of 74 people have died in the movement, and physical infrastructure worth billions has been damaged.
The protestors have demanded that the then Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who allegedly gave the order to fire bullets, also be brought under the purview of the investigation.
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