Tens of thousands of protesters demanding a restoration of Nepal's monarchy clash with police
Riot police used batons and tear gas to halt tens of thousands of supporters of Nepal’s former king who attempted to march to the center of the capital on Thursday to demand the restoration of the monarchy and the nation's former status as a Hindu state.
The protesters, waving the national flag and chanting slogans supporting former King Gyanendra, gathered on the edge of Kathmandu and attempted to move toward the center of the city. Riot police blocked them, beating them with bamboo batons and firing tear gas and a water cannon. There were minor injuries on both sides.
Authorities had banned protests in key areas of the city prior to the rally.
“We love our king and country more than our lives. Bring back the monarchy. Abolish the republic,” the crowd chanted.
Supporters of the former king came to Kathmandu from all over the country to demand the return of the monarchy that was abolished in 2008. They accused the government and political parties of corruption and failed governance.
Weeks of street protests in 2006 forced then-King Gyanendra to abandon his authoritarian rule and introduce democracy.
Two years later, a newly elected parliament voted to abolish the monarchy and declared Nepal a republic with a president as head of state.
Since then, Gyanendra has been living as a private citizen with no power or state protection. He still has some support among the people but little chance of returning to power.
The demonstrators also demanded that Nepal be turned back into a Hindu state. The Himalayan nation was declared a secular state in 2007 by an interim constitution. AP
Police lob teargas shells at Durga Prasain group in Balkhu
Police lobbed teargas canisters at the supporters of controversial businessman Durga Prasain at Balkhu.
After Prasain addressed the program organized at Balkhu, the demonstrators headed towards Thapathali to picket Singha Durbar. Police, however, blocked them by firing teargas.
While addressing the program, Prasain had said that they would not enter the city to gherao the Singha Durbar.
Police fired teargas shells at the demonstrators while they were heading towards Kalimati from Balkhu.
Police also fired a water cannon to take the situation under control.
The situation turned tense after the protestors hurled stones at the security personnel.
Yuwa Sangh, Durga Prasain group clash in Balkhu
A clash broke out between Yuwa Sangh, youth wing of the CPN-UML, and Durga Prasain group at Balkhu in Kathmandu on Thursday.
The both groups which took to the streets against the government engaged in a clash this afternoon.
Durga Prasain group and Yuwa Sangh cadres hurled stones at each other after the latter reached Balkhu by taking out a motorcycle rally.
Durga Prasain’s activities, statements against law
Every citizen is bound by the law. It applies to everyone from rulers to people. But Durga Prasain has been doing some activities, making statements which have directly violated the law. The government, however, is pretending like nothing is wrong.
Example 1
According to section 15 of the Procedure for use of the National Flag and National Anthem (First Amendment), 2076, it is prohibited to use the National Anthem in an insulting and inappropriate manner. Section 17 of the same Procedure has given the responsibility of monitoring and regulating it to the Chief District Officer.
Recently, Prasain has organized a program by playing Nepal's monarchy-era national anthem, which is a great insult to the national anthem of the country and against the Constitution and law.
Not only that, he had made many such derogatory remarks that could incite violence and disrupt social harmony.
Example 2
Marwadis, who were expelled from Burma (Myanmar), entered Nepal in the 1970s. These 16 families have ruled the Nepalis.
Example 3
(Taking the name of party leaders) has become a problem for all! Because, I am right. Do not mess with the right person. You will be broken into pieces.
Example 4
Let them bring all the women, I will settle the issue by buying a house each to all. My father married seven times. I am not a coward.
Example 5
Your loans up to Rs 2 million will be written off on the night when the system is changed. The next day, you can walk freely.
Political analyst Dr Lokraj Baral said that the activities of Prasain, which have put democracy achieved through much struggle and sacrifices at peril, are objectionable.
He is doing such things just to be viral in social media.
Baral was of the opinion that Prasain became popular among the people by raising their issues.
“Will monarchy be restored just by saying to exempt the interest of bank and financial institutions’ loans and by raising the issues of people’s frustration and dissatisfaction? This is just a strategy to influence the people, I don’t think this will work,” he said.
He suggested that the government should move ahead strongly to control such illegal activities.
Another political analyst Shyam Shrestha said that the illegal activities of Durga Prasain have no meaning. “His movement will neither change the system nor wipe out the republic,” he said, adding, “The Republic was not only brought by leaders. It was achieved through a great sacrifice and contribution of the people. King was not thrown out of the throne without any reason. It is not that easy to restore the monarchy.”
Prasain started the campaign to not pay the interest on the loans he has taken from several banks, Shrestha said.
His public remarks to not pay the banks loans is objectionable and a challenge to the rule of law.
“The protests can be staged peacefully. The government should pay attention and take stringent action if the protests are organized in a chaotic manner,” Shrestha further said.
Maniram Gyawali, Chairman of the Struggle Committee Against Microfinance Institutions, claimed that the victims of microfinance institutions will not be freed from Prasain who has been advocating for monarchy and Hindu state.
Prasain came to limelight after he hosted a lunch for CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal with Marsi rice, a special variety of rice known for its unique aroma and distinct flavor.
Meanwhile, Yuwa Sangh, the youth wing of the UML, and its founder Mahesh Basnet have come out openly to challenge Durga Prasain who for months have clashed verbally.
After both sides decided to organize a program in the same place (Maitighar), the District Administration Office, Kathmandu has issued a prohibitory order in Maitighar to prevent any untoward incidents.
