Nepali Congress alleges surveillance around Gagan Thapa amid arrest rumours

Nepali Congress leaders have alleged that plainclothes police officers have been keeping watch on party president Gagan Thapa’s residence and his office in Gyaneshwar. They suspect the increased surveillance may be linked to rumours that the government is preparing to arrest him. Congress General Secretary Udaya Shumsher Rana said there were not only rumours but also information suggesting that Thapa could be arrested.

He speculated that one reason for removing Dan Bahadur Karki as inspector general of police may have been his refusal to arrest the Congress chief. Accusing the government of trying to silence voices of dissent, from the press to the political opposition, Rana said the party would not be intimidated. “First, they entered media houses and arrested journalists to silence the press.

They created an atmosphere of fear among media organisations. Now, the government appears intent on arresting our party president to silence the opposition, as if to say that he is the only one left to speak out.