NC President Thapa slams police crackdown on youths, says govt must answer questions with dialogue, not arrests

KATHMANDU, July 11: Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Thapa has condemned the police crackdown on youths who visited the flood-hit holding center in Kirtipur, urging the government to immediately and unconditionally release those detained.

In a social media post on Saturday, Thapa described the alleged assault on and detention of youths—including Majid Ansari, Nahendra Khadka and Sarisma Thapa—as "deeply concerning, shameful and utterly condemnable."

Questioning the government's use of force, Thapa said the youths had gone to assess the condition of flood victims and demand accountability from the state, not to provoke confrontation.

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"Was the state not only devoid of compassion, but also this intolerant?" he wrote, arguing that asking questions of those in power is a fundamental democratic right.

Thapa said a democratic government must respond to public questions with dialogue, not arrests, baton charges or repression. "The answer to questions is not arrest or force, but dialogue," he said, stressing that governments must be willing to listen to dissent and criticism.

According to Thapa, the true strength of a government lies not in suppressing criticism but in upholding the rule of law, engaging in dialogue and remaining accountable. Attempts to silence dissent through force, he said, are incompatible with democratic values.

In a pointed message to the government, Thapa wrote, "Failing to listen to dissenting voices and the people's questions is not bravery—it is the ultimate cowardice of those in power."

He also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of everyone detained in connection with the incident.

Police allegedly assaulted and detained several Gen Z activists and youths who had visited the Kirtipur holding center to assess the condition of flood-displaced families. The incident left some of them injured and has triggered criticism from political parties, civil society groups and rights activists, who have called for restraint, accountability and a transparent investigation.