Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli paid his tributes to the martyrs by a laying wreath at Lainchaur-based Sahid Smarak as the country marked National Martyrs Day on Saturday.

Ministers of his Cabinet, chiefs of constitutional bodies, Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force and other government officials also participated in the annual ceremony organised in honour of the first four martyrs of Nepal, who were killed for opposing the then autocratic Rana regime in 1941.

While many have obtained martyrdom in Nepal’s various historic revolutions, Sukraraj Shastri, Dharmabhakta Mathema, Dasarath Chand and Gangalal Shrestha are considered the first for leading a public revolt against the Rana regime and subsequently receiving capital punishment for their role. In 1941, Shastri was hanged in Pachali on January 23, Mathema in Siphal on January 26, while Shrestha and Chand were shot dead at Sobha Bhagwati on January 28. More than 100 people have been declared martyrs in Nepal so far.

In her message on the occasion, President Bidyadevi Bhandari said that institutionalising the gains from the sacrifices of martyrs is the true way to pay tribute to them. “It is important for all Nepalis to unite for stability, peace, development and progress in the country to respect our martyrs,” she said. PM Oli said that the government is committed to fulfil the dreams of the martyrs.