Curfew imposed in Nepal after pro-monarchy protests turn violent News
© JURIST (Ram Eachambadi)
Curfew imposed in Nepal after pro-monarchy protests turn violent
Escalating protests and clashes between pro-monarchy protesters and security forces has prompted the Nepali government to impose a curfew in the Tinkune, Koteshwor and Sinamangal areas of Kathmandu on Friday afternoon. The curfew comes in response to rival protests turning violent, resulting in property damage and vandalism in various parts of the city.

The curfew announcement was made by the district administration office in accordance with § 6(A) of the Local Administration Act, and was later extended until Saturday morning. The curfew has prohibited movement and any form of gathering, procession, or protests in the affected regions.

Approximately 10,000 to 15,000 people were involved in the protests, and authorities remain on high alert after the death of two individuals and several reported injuries. Reports also indicate that 14 structures have been set on fire.

Among those killed is a journalist, Suresh Rajak, who died in one of the buildings set on fire while filming for Avenues Television. According to Avenues Television owner, Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar, Rajak was trapped inside the building and “couldn’t be rescued despite the police being constantly informed about his situation there.”

The protests, expected to be peaceful, were initially authorized by the district administration office and granted in favor of two different groups that also included the Socialist Front and Communist Party of Nepal, Maoist Center (CPN) in addition to the pro-monarchy group. The pro-monarchy group is led by Durga Prasai and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), led by Rajendra Lingden, and call for the restoration of the monarchy among other things.

According to Chief District Officer Rishiram Tiwari, the Socialist Front had been permitted to protest at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu while Prasai’s group had been allowed to demonstrate at Tinkune. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dinesh Kumar Acharya also noted that security had been reinforced in areas where the rallies and protest gatherings were scheduled. The situation escalated when pro-monarchy protesters attempted to breach the designated security cordon and thew stones at police, who responded by firing tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had appealed to the organizers of Friday’s protests to ensure that the demonstrations remain peaceful. However, those calls have gone unheeded from the very first day of the protest. The police have been authorized to shoot those who do not follow the curfew while vehicles outside Kathmandu have been prohibited from entering Kathmandu. Curfews have since been lifted the curfew in the Baneshwar-Tinkune stretch and surrounding areas of Kathmandu from 7 am on Saturday.

Fifty-one  were arrested on Friday on charges of instigating violence, including RPP members Rabindra Mishra and Dhawal Sumsher Rana, and other pro-monarchy activists such as Shepherd Limbu and Santosh Tamang. Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli had called for an emergency cabinet meeting for later in the evening.

Nepal has experienced change of governments 14 times in the 16 years since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008. Political instability has adversely impacted economic growth, and caused high rates of international migration among youth, a rise in corruption, and growing dissatisfaction among citizens. CPN leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal and other officials have emphasized their opposition to the re-establishment of the monarchy.

 

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