UML Questions PM’s Accountability Over Sunsari Shooting, Asks If Resignation Standard Applies Equally

CPN-UML lawmaker Padma Aryal has strongly questioned the accountability of Prime Minister Balen Shah and Home Minister Sudhan Gurung following the fatal police shooting during violent unrest in Sunsari.

Speaking during Thursday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Aryal argued that leaders who previously demanded the resignation and prosecution of prime ministers and home ministers after fatal police shootings must now be willing to face the same standard themselves.

Her remarks came as political pressure continued to grow over the violence in Kaptaanganj of Dewanganj Rural Municipality, where one person was killed, and several others were injured.

UML Raises Question Of Equal Accountability

Aryal compared the Sunsari incident with previous demonstrations in Kathmandu where deaths caused by police firing led to strong demands for political and moral accountability.

She asked whether the same people who previously said a prime minister and home minister should resign, face criminal responsibility or even be jailed after protesters were killed would now accept those demands themselves.

Her main argument was that accountability should not change depending on which political party is in government.

Aryal questioned whether Prime Minister Shah and Home Minister Gurung should take responsibility for the death in Sunsari just as they had previously demanded responsibility from former officeholders.

“Prime Minister’s Office Is Not For Decoration”

Aryal also criticized Prime Minister Shah for what she described as silence during a serious national crisis.

She said the position of prime minister was not created merely to be displayed inside Singha Durbar. According to her, the country’s leader must appear before the public, communicate with affected communities and provide direction when violence threatens peace and social harmony.

She accused the Prime Minister of avoiding this responsibility while tensions continued in Sunsari and other eastern districts.

Aryal said the government should have acted quickly to rebuild public confidence, promote dialogue and prevent the unrest from spreading.

Government Accused Of Failing To Build Trust

The UML lawmaker said the government had not presented a clear plan to restore peace in Sunsari or reassure residents in surrounding areas.

She warned that relying mainly on security operations could increase fear and worsen tensions rather than resolve the underlying problem.

Security chiefs have separately advised the government that the Sunsari crisis requires political, social and religious engagement rather than a response based only on force. An all-party meeting also issued an appeal for social harmony and lasting peace following concern over incidents in Sunsari and other districts.

Aryal said dialogue, planning and trust-building were necessary to prevent further violence.

UML Says It Is Ready To Support Peace Efforts

Despite criticizing the government, Aryal said the UML was prepared to cooperate with any serious initiative aimed at restoring peace and communal harmony.

She argued that political parties had worked together during similar crises in the past by promoting unity across Nepal’s Himalayan, hill and Terai communities.

According to Aryal, the government must now launch a wider campaign to restore hope among people who feel ignored or disappointed.

She said the opposition would support steps that genuinely improve security, maintain public order and strengthen harmony among communities.

Warning Against Anger And Revenge

Aryal also warned the government and political actors against responding to the crisis with anger, revenge or emotionally driven decisions.

She said such an approach could deepen the conflict and cause further damage.

Instead, she called for responsible leadership, calm communication and cooperation among political parties, communities and religious leaders.

Her comments reflect the growing political debate over whether the Sunsari violence was handled properly and who should take moral and political responsibility for the death and injuries.

Pressure Builds On Government

The remarks place additional pressure on the government as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the police shooting.

A five-member committee led by Home Ministry Joint Secretary Bhupendra Thapa has been assigned to investigate the incident and submit its findings.

At the same time, security has been strengthened in several eastern Terai districts amid fears that unrest could spread.

The government is now facing two major challenges: determining whether security forces followed proper crowd-control procedures and preventing the incident from becoming a wider political or communal crisis.

Political Accountability At The Centre

Aryal’s speech was not limited to the conduct of police officers at the scene.

Her broader question focused on political consistency: should leaders face the same demands for resignation and criminal accountability when similar incidents happen under their own government?

The UML has used the Sunsari shooting to challenge the standards previously promoted by the current leadership when it was outside government.

The debate is likely to continue as Parliament, political parties and the investigation committee examine the incident.