KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a probe committee to investigate the burning of the book The Governance of China, written by Xi Jinping.
The incident occurred last Saturday at Manmohan Technical University, located in Budhiganga of Morang, where copies of the book were burned reportedly during a clean-up activity on the university premises.
According to reports, some YouTubers and journalists were invited to the site, and a video of the books being burned was recorded and later circulated on social media.
Following the circulation of the video, the Embassy of China in Nepal expressed serious concern and sent a written note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal seeking clarification.
The home ministry has formed a five-member investigation committee under the coordination of Assistant Chief District Officer Saroj Koirala.
The committee also includes representatives from the District Police Office Morang, the provincial Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law, the government attorney’s office, and the education unit in Morang.
Earlier, the District Administration Office Morang had sought clarification from the university by issuing a 24-hour notice after the video surfaced online.
Chief District Officer Yubaraj Kattel said the committee has been given 15 days to conduct the investigation and submit its report.
The university has stated that some damaged and termite-infested books and materials were burned after recording them in a formal inventory while clearing rooms for the construction of a laboratory.
However, critics say the university’s statement on the matter appears inadequate. The university has also formed its own internal committee to investigate the incident and said a report will be prepared after completing the study.
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