Government said it is investigating to identify the organizer of the rally involving half-naked children in Jumla.
A rally of children who were naked above their hips was taken out on Saturday in the district headquarter Khalanga. The children carried placards reading different slogans in support of autonomous Karnali state and slogans were written on their bodies too.
According to local reporter, DB Budha, the rally converted into a corner assembly in front of District Administration Office (DAO). 7-year old Arbish Karki gave a speech before the assembly, said BC.
DAO said it is searching for the rally's organizer. Jumla's Chief District Officer Dipendra Paudel told Setopati that the administration will intensify the search operation after the indefinite curfew imposed in the district is lifted.
"I didn’t see the rally myself," Paudel told Setopati. "I learnt it from other people. I've already issued directive to identify those responsible for the acts which are clearly against the law and international accords on human rights."
"Children can't be used in rallies, demonstrations and protests. We'll find and punish those involved in this act," Paudel said.
Meanwhile, secretary of the CPN-UML in Jumla, Aandhi Neupane said that the rally was not organized by the political parties.
"I only learnt about it through Facebook on Saturday evening," he told Setopati. "Political parties have no role in this. Since the entire Jumla population has spilled in the streets to protest against the federal demarcation proposed by the top parties, perhaps the children too copied their guardians and took out the rally on their own initiative."
He, however, said that the parties have done their best to prevent the children from participating in the protests after Saturday.
Budha claimed that the parents did not instigate to accompany them to the demonstrations.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is also investigating the case. The rights body has already asked the local parties about the children's rally. However, Setopati could not contact NHRC's local office despite several attempts.
Demonstrations have been staged in Jumla since the past week demanding an autonomous Karnali province.
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