Let Justice Prevail

While the newly-formed federal and provincial governments were expressing their commitments to establishing good governance in the country and enhancing the efficiency of the service delivery system, an industrious youth, who attempted to self-immolate in front of the Federal Parliament Building on Tuesday, showed his utter frustrations about the governance mechanisms. Prem Prasad Acharya, 36, a resident of Suryodaya Municipality-11 in Ilam district, died at the Cleft and Burn Centre in Kirtipur on Wednesday morning. Acharya was seriously injured as he sprinkled petrol over his body and set himself on fire. The micro-entrepreneur had shared his woes with others through his Facebook, showing the reasons for his self-immolation bid. The father of two had to struggle hard to support family and sustain his business. He had been selling local products in various malls and outlets in different cities, including Kathmandu. But he had to be confronted with a myriad of obstacles and problems in course of running his business. He has accused various individuals as well as state apparatuses of harassing and cheating him in one way or the other, prompting him to opt for the undesired self-immolation attempt. 

Acharya had disclosed that he had been in debt in businesses such as travel agency, hotel, milk product business, tea and fermented leafy vegetables business, and agricultural farm. He is learnt to have gone for suicide attempt as he had lost his hard-won money from foreign employment along with all of his family property. However, the federal government has decided to investigate the issues raised by Acharya. A meeting of the Council of Ministers held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday evening took the decision to probe into the matters to find out the reasons for his move to self-immolate. The government has assigned the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) to look into the matters and concerns. Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ravi Lamichhane said that the MoHA would study the issues raised by Acharya and conduct an investigation into the matters before taking necessary steps. DPM Lamichhane added that a probe committee would be formed to conduct an investigation into the matters effectively. The ministry has already informed the police administration in regard to the issue. 

Acharya had stated that, he, as an entrepreneur, had not been successful in his business. He had mentioned in details what sorts of problem he had to go through while studying, getting a job, doing business, going for foreign employment and running a small business. He, however, had also disclosed that he had been depressed. As he had owed millions of rupees to banks and other creditors, he had sought some generous hearts to look after his family members. He has left behind his wife and two daughters. In the meantime, money has begun pouring in from different parts of the world in support of the family of debtor Acharya. News reports have it that Acharya's spouse Nanuka Adhikari's bank account has started getting funds from Nepalis living in home and abroad. 

Earlier on Wednesday morning, Nanuka had called on DPM Lamichhane to provide necessary support for the livelihood and education of her children. Demanding a job for her, she also urged him to make arrangements for paying the loans taken by her husband from the government. Meanwhile, a band of youths staged a sit-in to protest against the death of Acharya at Maitighar on Wednesday. The agitating youths said that anomalies and bad governance forced Acharya to try to kill himself. They also called for establishing rule of law, ending the state of impunity and creating a congenial atmosphere for youths to do something within the nation.