Kathmandu, Sept 14 (HS): Sushila Karki on Sunday took charge as Nepal’s interim Prime Minister and announced that violent incidents of arson, killings, and looting that shook Kathmandu and other parts of the country on September 9 would be subject to a judicial probe. She firmly declared in her first national address that no form of lawlessness can ever be justified.

Speaking from Singha Durbar after assuming office, Karki described the large-scale arson and targeted attacks on both government and private properties during the Gen-Z protests as part of a conspiracy. “The way properties were singled out and set ablaze shows this was not merely the work of student protesters,” she said, revealing that several groups involved in the widespread violence had already been identified. She assured that the entire episode of killings, arson, and looting would be investigated thoroughly through judicial means.

Emphasising stability, Karki warned that acts of lawlessness and destruction would not be tolerated under any circumstances. She expressed concern that attacks on private homes, shops, hotels, and factories had dealt a serious blow to the daily lives of ordinary citizens, further aggravating an already weakened national economy.

Acknowledging the resilience of the Nepali people, she said citizens themselves have the strength to rise above this collective trauma. She also hailed the courage of the business community, noting that their perseverance in the face of such adversity was commendable.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar