NHRC objects to govt decision to withdraw Tharu, Madhesi movement cases

Kathmandu / May 19: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said its serious attention has been drawn towards the government decision regarding the August 2015 Tikapur incident and October 2015 Madhes protests.

The government on Thursday decided to accept the Tharuhat and Madhes protests as political movements and withdraw all the cases filed against those involved the Tikapur carnage and Madhes protest in a bid to ensure the participation of agitating forces in the second phase of local level elections slated for June 14.

In a statement on Friday, the constitutional rights body said the government decision to provide amnesty to the guilty of the dreadful incidents including carnage, vandalism and arson during curfew hours without conducting proper investigation amounts to promoting a culture of impunity.

Eight security personnel and a minor were killed in 2015 Tikapur incident.

“It is deplorable that the government gave a political colour to the criminal incident instead of carrying out investigation as recommended by the NHRC on March 27, 2017,” read the statement. “The voiceless ordinary citizen won’t be able to have faith in the government, if each and every criminal incident is covered as political.”

The rights body concluded that the government move to promote criminal tendency instead of keeping the morale of security personnel high and providing security for the general public would further obstruct the protection and promotion of human rights.

Meanwhile, the human rights watch dog has drawn the attention of government once again to take punitive action against those found guilty on rights violations and provide appropriate compensation to the victims.