KATHMANDU: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak attended the National Security Council meeting at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar before heading to Budhanilkantha.
Lekhak traveled to Budhanilkantha to hold talks with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba following Monday’s Gen Z protests, during which clashes with police left at least 19 people dead.
He had come to Baluwatar from Singha Durbar along with security chiefs. After the National Security Council meeting concluded, he proceeded to Budhanilkantha.
Lekhak was not present at the ongoing federal cabinet meeting in Baluwatar. In Budhanilkantha, a meeting of current and former Nepali Congress officials was convened, to which Lekhak was invited. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh also attended.
Following the crackdown that resulted in 19 deaths on Monday, pressure has increased on Home Minister Lekhak to resign. Sources said he had also received briefings from security chiefs, who reportedly told him that they did not anticipate the Gen Z protests escalating to this level.
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