The main opposition CPN-UML on Thursday demanded the resignation of three Cabinet ministers over recent scandals.

Speaking at the meeting of the House of Representatives, UML lawmaker Raghuji Pant demanded the resignation of Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala on moral grounds in connection with the Balkumari incident.

Pant further said Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet, who is being investigated by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati, who is allegedly involved in a controversial decision to lease Ramgram Stupa, Lumbini, can’t hold their positions.

Pant further warned his party will not keep silent if the ministers don’t quit.

Lawmakers from the UML, the Rastriya Swatantra Party and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party obstructed the House proceedings briefly, demanding action against those involved in the Balkumari incident.

Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire then directed the government to inform the House on questions raised by lawmakers over the incident.

A probe committee to investigate the December 29 Balkumari incident where two youths lost their lives in a clash with police has pointed out negligence on the part of Minister Jwala as one of the contributing factors to the deaths.

The incident happened because the minister ignored the security challenges on that day, as per the report submitted to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha on Friday. Birendra Shah from Achham and Sujan Rawat of Dailekh had lost their lives on December 29 after the police used force to contain the protest. The clash erupted between the aspirants for jobs as migrant workers in South Korea and the police resulting in the fatalities.