Kathmandu, Nepal: For the families who lost their loved ones in the recent violence in Sunsari and several districts of Madhes Province, the days since the tragedy have been marked by grief, uncertainty, and a single unanswered question: Will justice ever be served?
Three people lost their lives in the violence, while dozens of others sustained injuries, some of whom remain hospitalized. Behind the political debate surrounding the incidents are families mourning irreplaceable losses, injured individuals struggling to recover, and communities still living with fear and uncertainty.
Against this backdrop, Nepal's main opposition party, the Nepali Congress, on Monday urged the government to establish an independent judicial inquiry committee, arguing that only a credible and impartial investigation can uncover the truth, restore public confidence, and provide justice to the victims.
The demand was made during a meeting of the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party at the Parliamentary Party Office in Singha Durbar. The party concluded that the administrative investigation committee formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs does not possess the level of independence necessary to investigate an incident of such gravity.
"Truth Must Come Before Politics"
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Nepali Congress General Secretary Pradeep Paudel said the violence has left deep emotional wounds across Madhes and has shaken citizens' confidence in state institutions.
"When lives are lost, the state's first responsibility is to establish the truth," Paudel said. "An administrative committee is not enough in a case of this seriousness. An independent judicial inquiry is essential so that people can trust both the investigation and its conclusions."
He said that justice cannot merely be done—it must also be seen to be done. According to him, a transparent investigation would help reassure grieving families while preventing speculation and political mistrust from deepening social divisions.
Families Deserve Answers, Not Political Blame
Parliamentary Party leader Bhishmaraj Angdembe said the deaths should never become another chapter in partisan politics.
"Three families have lost someone they can never bring back," he said. "Many others are still recovering from their injuries. Their pain should not be overshadowed by political arguments. The government has a responsibility to investigate fairly and ensure that anyone responsible, regardless of position or affiliation, is held accountable under the law."
Angdembe also appealed to political parties, protest organizers, security agencies, and local authorities to exercise restraint and prioritize dialogue over confrontation, warning that lasting peace can only be built through mutual trust and accountability.
A Region Still Living with Fear
Although the violence has subsided, residents in many parts of Madhes say the emotional impact remains.
Local communities continue to describe an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, and distrust. Parents worry about their children's safety, businesses are gradually returning to normal, and many residents say they are waiting for clear answers about what happened and why the violence escalated.
Community leaders have urged political leaders to look beyond partisan interests and focus on rebuilding public confidence through transparency and justice.
For many people in the region, the immediate priority is not political victory but reassurance that such violence will not happen again.
Congress Calls for Relief Alongside Justice
The Nepali Congress meeting paid tribute to those who lost their lives and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
The party also urged the government to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured, provide rehabilitation where needed, and offer timely relief and compensation to affected families.
Party leaders stressed that healing requires more than an investigation. Victims need practical support to rebuild their lives, while communities need confidence that the state stands beside them during times of crisis.
Madhes-Centric Parties Share the Same Demand
The Congress' position closely mirrors the demands consistently raised by Madhes-centric political parties, civil society organizations, and community representatives.
These groups have called for the establishment of an independent judicial commission led by a sitting or former Supreme Court justice. They have also demanded that those killed during the protests be declared martyrs, that victims' families receive dignified compensation and rehabilitation support, and that all injured individuals receive free medical treatment.
They argue that the investigation should examine every aspect of the violence—including the use of force by security agencies, administrative decisions, and the sequence of events leading to the clashes—while ensuring legal action against anyone found responsible.
Growing Political Pressure
Although the Ministry of Home Affairs has already formed an administrative investigation committee, questions over its independence have continued to grow.
The Nepali Congress has announced that it will work with other opposition parties to raise the issue forcefully inside and outside Parliament.
Political observers say the convergence of the country's largest opposition party and Madhes-centric political forces on the demand for an independent judicial inquiry significantly increases pressure on the government.
Analysts note that the issue is no longer solely about investigating a violent incident. It has become a broader test of the government's willingness to uphold transparency, accountability, and the rule of law at a time when public trust in institutions remains fragile.
Parliament Also Approves Coordination Framework
The Parliamentary Party meeting also approved a parliamentary coordination mandate designed to strengthen communication between Members of Parliament, Parliament, and the public.
According to Chief Whip Basana Thapa, the framework aims to make lawmakers more responsive to citizens and improve coordination between elected representatives and their constituencies.
Justice Is What the Families Are Waiting For
Beyond parliamentary resolutions and political statements, the voices that matter most remain those of the families who lost loved ones and those still recovering from their injuries.
Their expectations are remarkably simple: that the truth will be established without fear or favour, that those responsible will be held accountable through due process, and that no other family will have to experience the same heartbreak.
As calls for an independent judicial inquiry grow louder, the government's response will be closely watched—not only by political parties but by ordinary citizens who believe that lasting peace begins with truth, justice, and accountability.
