Opposition leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has criticised the government, accusing it of trying to protect the culprits in the murder after rape of 13-year-old Nirmala Panta in Kanchanpur. The Nepali Congress president said the government seems to be “putting an effort to save the predator”.

Speaking at the House of Representatives on Sunday, Deuba urged the government to be serious on the matter. “What is the kind of state are we building?” he questioned. “Where shall the general people go when the state itself seems keen to save the culprit?” Panta’s is just a representative case, Deuba continued, similar cases are on the rise across the country. He urged the government to be free from all kinds of bias and boost dignity, security and respect for women.      

He criticised the government for using excessive force to quell protests for justice wherein a teenage boy, Sunny Khuna, was killed.

Expressing concern over significant increment in taxes by the local governments at a time when the market faces rising inflation, the former prime minister said it has put general people into difficulty. He suggested the government study the practical implication of tax increment; retain the permissible hike and scrap the rest. The delay in the formation of natural resources and financial commission in line with Article 250 of the constitution, according to him, too is to be blamed for the ongoing chaos.

Deuba also stressed the need for amending some of the provisions of Criminal and Civil Codes, stating those to be oriented towards curtailing the freedom of press, demeaning the prestige of medical practitioners and having an impact on the police investigation. “I urge the government to make initiate amendment process,” he said.