March 28, Biratnagar — The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) Koshi Province Committee has demanded the immediate release of its party chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, labeling his arrest as a case of political retaliation.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Ghanshyam Khatiwada, chairman of the Koshi Province Committee, it was stressed that the government’s ongoing actions risk leading the country towards confrontation, and thus immediate release of Oli is necessary.
The provincial committee criticized the arrest as biased, carried out under the pretext of implementing the report of the Gauribahadur Karki commission. The statement asserted, “The unconstitutional government, formed by an a-political party elected through the elections held on Falgun 21, 2082 BS, has begun assaults against democratic forces,” further adding, “The government used the peaceful youth movement of Bhadra 23 as a pretext to take revenge in a calculated manner.”
The UML has interpreted Chairman Oli’s arrest as an attempt to end the communist movement and democracy. The statement also demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Chairman Oli and other leaders arrested alongside him. The Koshi Province Committee called upon leaders, activists, and supporters to engage in a powerful movement and struggle against the government’s interference.
To shape the course of the movement, UML has convened a meeting in Biratnagar on Saturday. According to central member Parshuram Basnet, the meeting will decide the province-level protest strategy. He stated that in response to the chairman’s arrest, the party plans to advance legal and political struggles simultaneously through the streets, parliament, and courts.
“We will fight legal battles, raise strong voices in parliament, and also mobilize street protests,” Basnet said. “Not only now but in the past, we have resisted such oppression and we remain determined to confront it today as well.”
