Mahesh Basnet Warns: Crackdown over Karki Commission Report Implementation Could Push Country Toward Conflict

March 26, Kathmandu – Mahesh Basnet, secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), has issued a warning that if the government resorts to a crackdown in the name of implementing the Gaurav Bahadur Karki Commission report, the country could spiral toward conflict.

Today, in its first meeting, the newly formed cabinet led by Rastriya Swatantra Party parliamentary leader Balendra Shah decided to move forward with implementing the Karki Commission report.

The decision included constituting a study committee regarding the security apparatus recommended for action by the commission, and proceeding according to its recommendations before implementation. For all other recommendations, immediate enforcement was agreed upon.

Shortly after this decision was made public, Basnet reacted on social media, cautioning that such a move would lead the country toward conflict.

“The government under Balendra’s leadership, in its first cabinet meeting, has decided on the Karki Commission’s report on the Jenajee incident. It plans to form a study committee regarding security personnel, but directly implement measures concerning the former prime minister, home minister, and others. This is heard to be a cunning and conspiratorial decision,” Basnet wrote. “If the government uses the report implementation as a pretext for crackdown and political revenge, not only will it face initial backlash, but it also risks pushing the country back into conflict.”

Basnet described such a decision as partisan and unacceptable under any circumstance, warning of strong resistance.

“Such biased decisions are absolutely unacceptable. Justice must be equal for all; otherwise, strong opposition will surely arise,” he stated.

Basnet also demanded investigation and action against individuals involved in the protests on September 8 and 9 of the previous year.

“Those who incited protests on September 8, forcibly brought children in school uniforms onto the streets, created tense and terrorizing environments by surrounding them from all sides, and those who engaged in violent riots on September 9, targeting the Parliament, Singha Durbar, Supreme Court, government offices, private industries, and residential premises causing arson and vandalism—including those who later became prime ministers, ministers, and lawmakers—must be impartially investigated and punished,” he wrote.

He expressed suspicion that funds from various suspicious national and international non-governmental organizations were used in criminal activities, stating that terrorism conducted under the guise of power and its leadership is unacceptable to society. “Any action taken without impartial investigation of all parties will be inherently biased,” he emphasized.