BARA, Sept 2: A woman has remained in custody for four days for allegedly threatening Minister for Water Supply Pradeep Yadav over the phone in connection with the cholera outbreak. The District Police Office (DPO), Parsa, arrested Kiran Sah of Shiswa in Kalaiya Sub-Metropolitan City on Friday.
Police have filed a case against Sah, accusing her of threatening a federal minister via electronic media and spreading false information about cholera cases, as reported by Minister Yadav. Superintendent of Police and DPO Parsa Chief Gautam Mishra said the police are investigating the matter and that Sah has been detained accordingly.
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Protesters, led by Sah’s mother and supported by politicians including Janata Samajbadi Nepal’s Karima Begam and Janamat Party’s Najama Khatun, staged a demonstration at the DPO gate carrying placards, warning of intensified protests if she is not released. Sah’s mother claimed her daughter was at the hospital caring for a patient when she was arrested and accused political leaders of spreading misinformation.
Police are preparing to present Sah before the District Court to seek permission for extended judicial remand. Meanwhile, locals have criticized both Birgunj Metropolitan City and Minister Yadav for allegedly not taking the cholera outbreak in the constituency seriously.
An excerpt from a phone conversation between Sah and Minister Yadav, obtained by Republica, captures the tense exchange. Sah reportedly asked, “Do you know how many people have died of cholera?” Minister Yadav replied, “Do you have any proof of this?” Sah then added, “A member of my own family is in the ICU. I am not afraid of anyone. I will not let you go easily.”
The cholera outbreak has created fear and anger among the public. Prime Minister KP Oli informed Parliament on August 29 that three people had died from cholera in Birgunj.
