Statues re-unveiled at many places in Nepalgunj

By Govinda Sharma, Banke, July 26: Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City has completed reconstruction of statues built in memory of historical figures who made significant contributions to the country and society and unveiled them on Saturday in a single event.

Five statues that were damaged during various movements have been reconstructed and unveiled. Likewise, a new statue of former Prime Minister late Sushil Koirala has been constructed and unveiled near Traffic Chowk in Nepalgunj.

Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City said the reconstruction was carried out with the objective of preserving the memory of personalities of historical and national importance and protecting public heritage.

Mayor Prashanta Bista unveiled the statues of former Prime Minister late Sushil Koirala, commander of the 1990 People’s Movement late Ganeshman Singh, former Prime Minister late Bisheshwor Prasad Koirala, late King Birendra, founding General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal late Pushpa Lal Shrestha, and martyr Setu BK, who was killed during the 2006–07 People’s Movement, amid enthusiastic participation from local residents.

The statues, along with beautification works, were completed at a cost of around Rs. 8 million. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Mayor Bista said preserving and safeguarding history and passing it on to the younger generation is a need of the present.

“Statues have been unveiled with the support of all stakeholders to honour personalities who made significant contributions to the country and society and to pass their ideas, ideals and contributions on to future generations,” he said.

People’s representatives, government employees, representatives of political parties and members of the general public attended the unveiling ceremony of the reconstructed statues.

The statues of the leaders at Ganeshman Chowk, BP Chowk and Pushpa Lal Chowk were vandalised during the Gen Z movement on September 9 last year.

Similarly, the statue of former King Birendra was vandalised by Maoist cadres following the 2006–07 People’s Movement. Supporters of the monarchy made repeated attempts to reinstall the statue at the site, but it could not be installed due to a lack of consensus.

During the 2006–07 People’s Movement, Setu BK of Khajura, Banke, was killed while the then-under-construction Gyanendra Chowk was being demolished. Following the movement, the chowk was renamed Shaheed Setu BK Chowk and a statue of her was installed there. The statue was repeatedly vandalised and damaged by supporters of the monarchy.