Kathmandu, June 23 -- After reports and images surfaced on social media and newspapers showing Resham Chaudhary lying on a hospital bed, one of his legs shackled, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Saturday swiftly directed the chief secretary to remove the chain.

Oli, according to his press coordinator Chetan Adhikary, also ordered action against the official responsible for restraining him even during treatment at Bir Hospital.

Chaudhary was convicted on March 6 of masterminding the 2015 Kailali incident, in which nine people were killed during a violent scuffle between the Tharus and security personnel.

Oli's orders could have been prompted largely by comments on social media, where many accused his administration of failing to uphold ...