Kathmandu, March 28 (NationPress) The detention of former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli of Nepal on Saturday morning ignited widespread protests throughout the Kathmandu Valley, led by members of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML).

Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were taken into custody early in the day due to their involvement in homicide-related cases connected to the crackdown on the Gen-Z uprising in early September of the previous year. Both leaders were apprehended at their residences in Bhaktapur district. Following his arrest, Oli was transferred to a teaching hospital in Kathmandu due to health complications.

In response to the arrests, UML supporters organized protests across the Kathmandu Valley, following a directive from the party's Central Committee. Protesters set fire to tires and copies of the inquiry commission's report regarding the Gen-Z movement, which had called for the prosecution of Oli, Lekhak, and former police chief Chandra Kuber Khapung.

On Friday, the initial Cabinet meeting of Prime Minister Balendra Shah had resolved to act on the recommendations of the report. Clashes erupted between law enforcement and demonstrators, resulting in injuries among some protesters.

The UML announced that its district committees would hold demonstrations and submit memorandums to Chief District Officer (CDO) offices in all districts on Sunday.

The party expressed its commitment to dialogue and collaboration with all political entities, civil society, and citizens who advocate for democracy and the rule of law. The UML denounced the arrests of Oli and Lekhak, claiming they were retaliatory, biased, and unlawful.

In a statement following the meeting, the party called for the establishment of a high-level investigation commission led by a sitting Supreme Court judge to guarantee an unbiased and judicial investigation into the matter.

Amidst these events, former President of Nepal, Bidya Devi Bhandari, characterized the government’s decision to arrest the two leaders as premature. In her statement on Saturday, she expressed concerns that these arrests could lead to long-term repercussions and an increased risk of instability.

Bhandari stated, “Given that studies have indicated the Karki Commission’s report itself is incomplete, the decision taken on the very first day of the new government to implement that report and arrest then-Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman K P Sharma Oli, along with former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, is a delicate issue with far-reaching consequences. Such an immature decision does not seem consistent with the current Constitution, existing laws, and established democratic practices.”

The statement emphasized that the implementation of any inquiry commission's report necessitates due legal procedures, thorough study, and institutional consultation. “Hasty decisions can undermine public confidence in the rule of law and may heighten the risk of renewed conflict and instability in the nation,” the statement concluded.