LUMBINI, Sept 17: The Lumbini Province government and its subordinate bodies suffered extensive damage during the recent Gen Z demonstrations held on September 8–9. A preliminary report on the damages was made public on Wednesday.
According to the report unveiled by the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, the Office of the Province Chief, the Chief Minister's residence, and the Butwal Liaison Office were completely destroyed during the protests. Similarly, three vehicles were destroyed at the Chief Minister's residence.
Acting Chief Secretary of the Province, Liladhar Subedi, said seven motorcycles and one car owned by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development were destroyed in Dang, while incidents of minor vandalism at government offices were also reported from Arghakhanchi.
Under the Ministry of Urban Development, one motorcycle was burned in Rupandehi, and belongings inside the ministers' quarters in Lamahi, Dang, were set on fire.
The Butwal-based Treasury Controller’s Office reported damages worth around Rs 9.6 million.
Offices under the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Transport—including the transport offices in Rupandehi, Banke, and Dang; the Directorate of Industry in Bhairahawa; the Office of Cottage and Small Industries in Dang; and the Tourism Information Center in Banke—suffered massive damage due to arson and vandalism.
Similarly, the Health Minister’s residence was damaged, while under the Ministry of Energy, eight motorcycles were burned in Dang. The Directorate of Forests also reported widespread destruction.
The Province Public Service Commission was targeted by arson and vandalism, resulting in the destruction of storage rooms and the loss of property records belonging to employees and public representatives, while six vehicles were reduced to ashes.
However, the administrative complex of the provincial government in Deukhuri, Rapti Valley, was spared from damage.
RSS