Man Hospitalised After Another Self-Immolation Attempt in Kathmandu

Another self-immolation attempt has been reported in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, after a man allegedly set himself on fire at his home in the Bijulibazar area.

Police said the man poured petrol over himself and ignited it early in the morning while no other family members were at home.

He was rescued while still on fire and taken to Bir Hospital for treatment.

The incident comes days after Ganesh Nepali, who attempted self-immolation in the busy Tripureshwor area of Kathmandu on Thursday, died during treatment on Friday evening.

In a separate incident, Bivek Mandal, who attempted self-immolation in Godaita Municipality of Sarlahi district in southern Nepal on Friday, was airlifted to Kathmandu by helicopter and is receiving treatment in critical condition.

Meanwhile, the government has formed a five-member investigation committee led by Deputy Inspector General Govinda Dhakal to investigate the death of Ganesh Nepali.

The committee was announced after lawmakers raised the issue in Nepal’s House of Representatives, saying the circumstances that led to the self-immolation reflected a serious weakness in the country’s governance system and sought the government’s response.

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung told parliament that the government has taken the incident seriously.

He said every state institution has its own responsibilities and that the government is committed to ensuring the shortcomings of one institution do not undermine confidence in the state as a whole.

The Home Minister also said the government had made every possible effort to save Nepali’s life but was unsuccessful.