Government buildings can be rebuilt, but lost documents are gone forever

On Tuesday, protesters set fire to buildings of all three branches of the government and other important government offices. Experts say the loss of the state’s vital documents is an unimaginable blow for the country.

Historically, a major fire also occurred at Singha Durbar on Asar 24, 2030 BS (8 July, 1973 AD). At that time, the fire was said to have been accidental, and the state responded with all available resources, even calling fire brigades from Birgunj.

According to expert Jagat Nepal, this time the situation was much worse. “When Singha Durbar caught fire now, it was as if the state didn’t exist. There was no one to control the fire,” he said.

Even though citizens could foresee the possibility of fire, the state could not secure the buildings, a failure that Nepal will pay for for generations.

In 2030 BS (1973 AD), the Singha Durbar fire reportedly destroyed copies of the Sugauli Treaty. Jagat Nepal warns that many important documents may have been lost this time as well. Some government papers are meant to be public only after 30–40 years. Without these records, future generations will not be able to access Nepal’s history, and the responsibility falls on the current generation.

Important state documents are stored in the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ offices, the Prime Minister’s official residence, and the President’s residence at Sheetal Niwas. Many of these buildings were burned. Even crucial decisions and records held at the Supreme Court were destroyed.

Jagat Nepal says, “All places where historical documents were kept have burned. Government buildings can be rebuilt, but the important records will not be recovered.”