Summary
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- Former AIG Dan Bahadur Karki stated that during the Janajati movement, when his colleagues avoided their duties using illness as an excuse, he took command of the Kathmandu Valley Police Office by verbal order.
- Karki reported that on 24 Bhadra, 4,396 police officers were deployed and that he advised the then Communication Minister to lift the social media ban.
- Karki explained that instructions to release detainees were given only in limited and special cases, ensuring adherence to human rights standards when detainees’ lives were at risk.
11 Chaitra, Kathmandu – Former AIG (now IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki has stated that during the Janajati movement, when his colleagues abandoned their responsibilities citing illness, he took command of the Kathmandu Valley Police Office through verbal orders.
Karki made these remarks while giving a statement to the Gauribahadur Karki-led commission investigating the Janajati movement incidents on 23 and 24 Bhadra.
Until 23 Bhadra, Karki was serving in the Human Resource Department of the Police Headquarters. At that time, the Kathmandu Valley Police Office at Ranipokhari was without an AIG. On 24 Bhadra, no AIG was willing to assume command; some avoided responsibilities due to illness, and thus Karki took command by verbal instructions.
Karki said he reached the office at 9 am on 24 Bhadra, issued directives, and then proceeded to the Home Ministry. He disclosed that amidst simultaneous violence, vandalism, and assaults, decisions had to be made quickly under severe pressure and time constraints.
He noted that 4,396 police personnel had been deployed across the valley at the time. After the announcement of the social media ban, Karki suggested to the then Communication Minister, Prithvi Subba Gurung, that the ban be lifted.
Additionally, on 23 Bhadra, Karki suggested that resignation and other methods could be suitable measures to prevent potential damage.
Karki’s statement also mentioned the issue regarding National Socialist Party Chairman Ravi Lamichhane’s release from jail. “During that period, among competitors for the post of Police Inspector General, there were some who breached all norms of fair competition; evidence indicates one such competitor deliberately prepared and applied pressure through a complaint,” Karki said.
Regarding the release of detainees, Karki said, “Instructions to release detainees were issued only in limited and special cases when detainees’ lives were at risk, ensuring minimum human rights standards were observed, records were maintained, and detainees agreed to appear when summoned.”
