After the change of power in Nepal due to GenZ, Balen Shah was being seen as the hope of change and new politics. Now the problems facing his government seem to be increasing. It has not been even 155 days since he took over as Prime Minister and questions have started being raised on his government regarding law and order. Anger has reached the streets in Nepal after the case of alleged rape and murder of a three-year-old girl came to light. After which it is being said that GenZ appointed Balne Shah as PM Now they are seen raising slogans against him there.
The case is of Bara district of Nepal, where the body of a three-year-old girl who went missing from home on August 16 was found in a deserted house three days later. Seeing the condition of the girl, sensation spread in the entire area. People’s anger further flared up after medical and forensic tests confirmed sexual violence against her. Now the question is not only about the arrest of the accused, but also about the initial action of the police and the accountability of the government.
Girl went missing, body found after three days
On August 16, the girl suddenly disappeared from home. The family started searching for him and also claimed to inform the police. But no trace of the girl was found for about three days. After this, there was a report of foul smell coming from a deserted house and during the search there, the dead body of the girl was recovered. After the horror of the incident came to light, the matter became a topic of discussion throughout Nepal. People say that the responsibility of the administration regarding the safety of children should be fixed.
The biggest question on police action
After the death of the girl, questions have been raised by the family on the initial action of the police. It is alleged that despite receiving information about the girl’s disappearance, a large-scale search operation was not conducted immediately. In the report, the family has claimed that when they contacted the police, they were asked to lodge a formal complaint by giving the names of the suspects. However, the final conclusion about what action was taken by the police at that time and whether there was any negligence in the process or not, will be revealed only after investigation.
MP’s allegations increased the government’s problems
Bara MP Rahbar Ansari has also raised questions on the role of police. He claims that a search operation was not conducted with sufficient police force in the first 24 hours after the girl’s disappearance. After receiving information from the local people about foul smell coming from the deserted house, a search was conducted with the help of police and sniffer dog, after which the body was recovered. These allegations have further intensified the debate regarding the working style of the police.
Nine arrests, still anger on the streets
Police have so far arrested nine people in the case. The role of the accused and other aspects related to the incident are being investigated in the investigation. But despite the arrests, people’s anger has not diminished. Demonstrations are taking place in many parts of Nepal. At some places roads and highways were blocked and at some places there were demands for strict action from the government. The protesters want that the culprits should be punished as soon as possible and the laws related to sexual crimes against children should be made more effective.
Video of minor suspect creates new controversy
Another controversy arose in the case when a video related to a teenage suspect went viral on social media. In the video, he is allegedly seen being interrogated about the incident. After this the question arose that if he was in police custody then how did the video reach social media. Since the case is said to be related to a minor, legal and ethical questions have also arisen regarding his identity and personal information being made public. The protesters have demanded an investigation into the video leak.
Ruckus over Balen Shah’s alleged Mustang trip
Amidst the incident, there was resentment on social media regarding the alleged Mustang visit of Prime Minister Balen Shah. According to claims made in Nepali media reports, the Prime Minister was on a visit to the Mustang area during the protests. After this, questions started being raised on social media regarding his priorities. Critics said that when people are on the streets in the country over the death of an innocent girl, the Prime Minister should have appeared more active on the issue. However, the claims related to his official visit, personal program and government’s responsibility in this incident need to be understood on the basis of separate facts and official confirmation.
Even before, the government was surrounded by law and order issues.
This is not the first law and order related challenge before the Balen Shah government. Earlier, in the last week of July, a case of violent clashes between Hindu and Muslim communities had come to light in Sunsari district, in which three people were reported dead. After the incident, Balen Shah addressed the nation, but was criticized for the timing of his address. Local reports claimed that his address came several days after the violence began. Critics called it a delay in the government’s response.
Why is the youth’s favorite leader now under the scanner?
Balen Shah’s political identity has been different from traditional leaders. Before entering politics, he was also popular as a rapper and later became the mayor of Kathmandu. As mayor, his image was that of a leader who challenged the old system and talked about change. His popularity among the youth gave him a strong base in national politics. But after becoming the Prime Minister, expectations also increased a lot. The public was expecting him to improve law and order, take action against corruption and make the administration more effective.
What is the real reason for the changing picture in 150 days?
In the initial phase of Balen Shah’s government, there was hope for change and popularity, but now the controversies related to law and order are testing his government. The case of death of a three year old girl is more serious because there are many questions related to it. Safety of children, initial action of police, accountability of administration, leaking of video of minor suspect and reaction of the government. This is the reason why this case is no longer just a criminal incident. Its political implications are also beginning to emerge.
The public wants justice, not arrest.
The protesters say that the arrest of the accused is the beginning of justice, not the end. Their demand is that the investigation should be conducted in a fair manner and if negligence is proved in the initial action of the police, then action should also be taken against the responsible officers. Apart from this, the demand for providing justice to the victim’s family and presenting a strong case in the court is also gaining momentum.
Now the biggest political test in front of Balen Shah
The death of a three-year-old girl has raised many serious questions before the government of Nepal. Arrests have been made by the police, but now the focus is on the next step in the investigation. Will the investigation reach all the culprits? Will there be a fair investigation into the alleged negligence of the police? What action will be taken against those who leak the video of the minor suspect? And will the government make changes to the system to prevent child sexual violence? The answers to these questions can have a big impact on the image and administrative capacity of the Balen Shah government in the coming days. Balen Shah got support with the hope of change, now the same hope seems to be the biggest test of his government.