Attempts to meddle in judicial probe intolerable: Home Minister

By Lalit Basel,Surkhet, Dec. 11: Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has said that the government cannot tolerate any attempts to influence investigations and the judiciary. 

Amid protests by members of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) against the investigation of party president Rabi Lamichhane on charges of cooperative fraud, Minister Lekhak emphasised that attempts to influence investigations and judicial processes through street protests are unacceptable.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Nepal Press Union in Karnali Province on Tuesday, Minister Lekhak expressed concern over efforts to maneuver investigations and judicial proceedings by mobilising crowds. 

He clarified that there has been no violation of human rights in the context of Lamichhane’s arrest and reiterated that the government cannot tolerate such actions. He further remarked that justice cannot be achieved through mob pressure and that such behaviour is inappropriate. The Home Minister also addressed ongoing anti-constitutional and anti-system activities, asserting the need to suppress such actions. 

Highlighting conspiracies to destabilise the government formed with the alliance of Nepali Congress and UML, he said, “Anti-constitutional and anti-system activities have surfaced, and they must be neutralised.” 

He said that the conspiracies stem from attempts to derail the present coalition and destabilise governance.

Regarding constitutional amendments, he informed that discussions are underway with all political parties and emphasised that any amendment would proceed only after thorough consultations.

Minister Lekhak also addressed concerns about some government offices of Karnali Province being located in other provinces. He pledged to relocate them to Karnali as soon as possible. Specifically, he mentioned that some police offices currently based in Banke district of Lumbini Province could be moved to Karnali if local and provincial governments provide the necessary infrastructure such as land.

On Monday, a provincial-level security meeting in Surkhet highlighted several challenges in Karnali Province. Minister Lekhak noted that issues like suicide, drug abuse, and road accidents are major concerns in the region, surpassing other criminal challenges.

He instructed subordinate offices to implement measures to mitigate these problems and called for awareness programmes in schools, villages, and communities to address these issues more effectively.

In another event, Minister Lekhak was urged to open border points connecting Karnali Province with China. During a meeting of the Nepali Congress Karnali Province parliamentary party on Tuesday, Minister for Social Development Ghanshyam Bhandari requested the Home Minister to facilitate the opening of these border points. 

Minister Bhandari argued that opening border points with neighbouring countries would significantly enhance trade of Karnali Province.

Dolpa, Humla, and Mugu districts in Karnali share border with China. Minister Bhandari advocated for opening these border points to strengthen friendly relations with China and boost trade and commerce. 

Similarly, Nepali Congress Province President Lalit Jung Shahi also called for initiatives to open the borders and urged the Home Ministry to adopt immediate security strategies for the same.