Kathmandu, September 20
CPN-UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet has criticised the government over the arrest of analyst Bharat Dahal.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Basnet objected to Dahal’s arrest, alleging that it was carried out at the direction of Prime Minister Balen Shah’s secretariat.
He challenged the authorities to refute reports published by ‘Grey Zone’ media, saying Dahal was arrested merely for commenting on publicly reported news that mentioned the prime minister.
“Regarding Bharat Dahal’s arrest, he was arrested while having tea at the direction of the prime minister’s secretariat. Why was he arrested? Because he provided somewhat extensive commentary on the ‘Grey Zone’ issue. This is like the saying that when a thief is told to cut off the thief’s leg, the thief raises his own leg. Balen and his people are raising their legs,” Basnet said.
“If the report is false, they should prove that it is false and provide clarification and an explanation. They cannot act like a cat secretly stealing milk and then arrest Bharat Dahal and others who raise questions about the ‘Grey Zone’ reports. This shows their authoritarian, autocratic and vindictive style,” he said.
Basnet also claimed that reports published by Grey Zone had clarified who played what role in the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9 last year. He said Rabi Lamichhane, Balen Shah and others should respond to the reports.
