KATHMANDU: An investigation by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) into last year’s Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9 has revealed severe violations by both security forces and demonstrators.

According to committee coordinator Dr. Lily Thapa, an analysis of verified video footage proved that high-ranking activists systematically used children as “human shields,” taught them to make bombs, and incited attacks against authorities, leading to the identification of 54 key provocateurs.

Concurrently, the report slammed security forces for using excessive force, noting that standard laws requiring firearms to be aimed below the knee were entirely ignored, leaving most victims with gunshot wounds to the upper body, chest, and abdomen.

While ballistics confirmed the ammunition type and indicated shots were fired from both the Parliament building area—where the Special Task Force was deployed—and from within the protest perimeter, the NHRC admitted that identifying the specific individuals who pulled the triggers remains a challenge.

Defending the report against claims of political bias, Dr. Thapa asserted that the investigation was independent and evidence-driven.

Consequently, the NHRC has recommended that the Nepali Army reprimand the commanding officers responsible for these actions to ensure such structural and humanitarian failures do not recur.