KATHMANDU: Police have arrested former Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kathmandu, Chhabilal Rijal, in connection with the crackdown on the September 8, 2025 Gen-Z protests.

Rijal was taken into custody following the implementation of an commission report related to the protests. The arrest comes on the basis of recommendations made by the Karki Commission, which was formed to probe the incidents surrounding the Gen-Z demonstrations. The commission’s findings linked Rijal to key decisions made during the handling of the protests, including the alleged use of force against demonstrators. Here is the english translation of the statement provided by the then-CDO Rijal to the Karki Commission:

I have been serving as the Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kathmandu District, bringing thirty-six years of experience in the civil service. Previously, I successfully served as the Chief District Officer in the District Administration Offices of Surkhet, Jhapa, and Tanahun. On August 29, 2025 (Bhadra 23, 2082), three joint applications were received from Sudan Gurung on behalf of the organization ‘Hami Nepal’, Ankit Malla and Khem Raj Saud, and Sabal Gautam and Purushottam Yadav, requesting permission to hold a peaceful protest in the Maitighar Mandala area. During discussions with the applicants, a verbal agreement was reached to hold the protest only in non-prohibited areas and to ensure the program was conducted peacefully by the organizers.

Following the announcement of the ‘Gen-Z’ movement, I chaired a District Security Committee (DSC) meeting where I issued directives to strengthen security arrangements and coordinate timely with respective parent agencies for additional force mobilization if necessary, specifically to prevent a repeat of the security lapse that occurred in Tinkune on March 28, 2025 (Chaitra 15). Based on information from the police administration, intelligence mechanisms, and district security agencies, the movement was understood to be a program expressing dissatisfaction regarding social media issues. Predicting it would remain peaceful in the initial phase, the Integrated Special Security Plan 2082 was approved after identifying potential routes, timings, estimated participant numbers, and sensitive areas, and security personnel were deployed accordingly. Due to the assumption that the situation in the capital would remain peaceful on August 23, a session of the National Assembly was scheduled in the Federal Parliament Building, and the Honorable President’s presence was also fixed for a program at the National City Hall (Rashtriya Sabhagriha).

On September 08, 2025 (Bhadra 22, 2082), the District Police Chief and I attended a Central Security Committee meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs at approximately 6:00 PM to brief them on the protest. While it was suggested to retract the decision to ban unregistered social media platforms in Nepal, the Inspector General of Nepal Police sought clear ‘Line of Action’ directives in case force had to be used during the next day’s protest. We were instructed to take control of the situation using sequential minimum force according to the principles of use of force; however, if the situation escalated beyond control through violations of prohibited areas, rioting, vandalism, or arson, we were directed to use necessary force cautiously to stabilize the situation.

On September 09, 2025 (Bhadra 23), from 7:00 AM, I established a District Security Committee Command Center in my office and monitored the situation alongside other officials. The situation remained normal until approximately 10:15 AM. Once the protest, which began peacefully at Maitighar, crossed the Bijulibazar bridge and broke through the police barricade in front of the Everest Hotel, I realized the situation could spiral out of control. I called the Home Secretary to inform him, receiving the instruction to “control the situation using sequential minimum force.” As protesters advanced toward the Federal Parliament Building and a breach of peace became imminent, I contacted the Honorable Home Minister, the Chief Secretary, and the Home Secretary to inform them that a curfew was necessary. Upon receiving directives from all parties to control the situation even by imposing a curfew, a curfew order was issued effective from 12:30 PM based on the recommendation of the District Security Committee.

Noticing increasing tension in the New Baneshwor area, I dispatched Superintendent of Armed Police Jiban K.C. there at around 12:15 PM to maintain peace. Around 12:00 PM, I received reports that protesters were committing vandalism and arson around the Parliament Building and had entered through the South-East, East, and West-South gates.

As violence spread and serious risks to the lives and property of citizens, as well as public and private assets, became evident, the curfew order was issued as a last resort.