The State Affairs Committee of the Legislature-Parliament saw heated discussions between lawmakers of ruling coalition—Nepali Congress and Madhesi parties—and opposition CPN-UML on Wednesday.

UML lawmakers demanded the perpetrators be brought to justice by law while Nepali Congress and Madhesi lawmakers said a political solution should be sought claiming the incident to be a political one.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Farmullah Mansoor, Ram Janam Chaudhary of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik came down heavily upon the UML saying that the Tikapur incident was purely political.

Mansoor blamed UML for showing dual character towards the Tikapur incident. “Oli government had vowed to forward the case but retracted from his words after stepping down from the PM post,” he said.

UML lawmaker Rameshwor Phuyal said the crimes against state should not be forgiven under the veil of a political cause. “Those who burnt alive police personnel and a child should not be pardoned,” he said.