Two die, dozens injured as royalist protest turns violent

Kathmandu, Mar. 29: Two persons were killed and dozens were injured after supporters of former king Gyanendra Shah staged protest with violence and arson in Tinkune area of Kathmandu on Friday.

Individual houses and an herbal procession centre were set on fire, office of CPN Unified Socialist was vandalised, vehicles were torched and a supermarket store was looted.

The government has said that key instigators of violence and arson are Durga Prasai and Navaraj Subedi and they must bear full responsibility for the destruction and loss of property and lives.  Subedi leads the so-called Joint People's Movement Committee while Prasai was assigned the responsibility of mobilising people in the movement.

The government has asserted that the so-called pro-monarchy protest of Friday turned excessively violent, inhumane and coercive.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Joint Secretary Chhabi Rijal said that the so-called pro-monarchy movement was not a political one, but an act of pure violence, inhumanity and looting. The ministry made it clear that the government would no longer exercise restraint.

 Rijal claimed that Friday's rally of the pro-monarchy group was not driven by any political objective.

Incidents of looting, arson, and attacks on sensitive areas such as the airport has prompted the government to adopt different strategies, including curfew in Tinkune and its adjoining routes till 10:00 pm from 4:24 pm on Friday to bring the situation under control.  

The spokesperson further mentioned that about three to five thousands demonstrators participated in the pro-monarchy movement, which he termed an apolitical mob led by Durga Prasai.

The Home Ministry concluded that the situation worsened after Durga Prasai drove a vehicle, with an intention of targeting the security personnel and breaking the prohibitory zone, to New Baneshwar from Tinkune.

He said, "A violent demonstration by royalists took place in Tinkune. The activities by supporters of the former king are unfortunate and regrettable. The freedom provided by the constitution was seen in a disgraceful way. The situation worsened after Durga Prasai drove a vehicle towards security personnel."

Legal action at any cost 

Likewise, the government has expressed serious concern over the violent protest carried out by supporters of the former king in Tinkune, Kathmandu.

According to a statement issued by Home Ministry's Joint Secretary Rijal, the supporters of the former monarch mocked the constitutionally granted freedom of thought, expression, and peaceful assembly without weapons in the Tinkune area.

"The acts of vandalism and arson targeting private property, hospitals, media houses, political party offices, commercial centres, and public vehicles are unlawful, inhumane, and highly condemnable. The organisers of the demonstration are fully responsible for inciting and carrying out such violent and criminal acts," the statement read.

The government emphasised that the constitution safeguards the rights of all classes, castes, languages, genders, regions, and religions while ensuring the proper functioning of a democratic governance system. It stated that engaging in violent and anarchic activities instead of peacefully expressing opinions through democratic means benefits no one. The government has therefore urged the general public not to participate in such inhumane and illegal activities.

Furthermore, the government reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and taking legal action against anyone who violated the law.

Two die, over a dozen injured 

Meanwhile, two persons lost their lives during the violent pro-monarch demonstration. Of the deceased, one was a camera person (Suresh Rajak) of Avenue Television and another was a demonstrator named Sabin Maharjan, 29, of Kirtipur Municipality-4 of Gamcha. Maharjan was fatally shot in the chest during a clash with police at the demonstration.

According to police, Maharjan was rushed to the emergency room of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital at 3:55 pm.

However, doctors pronounced him dead at 4:00 pm. His body is currently at the hospital for a postmortem examination.

Similarly, cameraperson Rajak was burned to death in a building set on fire by demonstrators in Tinkune.

It has been revealed that Rajak was among those trapped inside the burning building after protesters, accusing the occupants of being police officers, set it ablaze. His body was found severely burned and unrecognisable.

The police are investigating the incident, and statements are being recorded. Meanwhile, a Marble House in Tinkune was set on fire following clashes with security forces. Prior to the fire, protesters had pelted stones at the building, breaking its windows.

Curfew imposed in Tinkune areas

Likewise, the Kathmandu District Administration Office imposed a curfew in the Tinkune area following incidents of arson and vandalism. However, authorities have assured that air passengers will be facilitated to reach the airport despite the restrictions.

Chief District Officer Rishiram Tiwari said that travellers with valid air tickets and passports would be allowed to proceed to the airport without obstruction. The curfew first enforced from 4:25 pm to 10:00 pm for Friday later was extended to 7 am Saturday.

“In consideration of air passengers' convenience, individuals with valid tickets and official identification will be facilitated for travel, and necessary coordination will be carried out through security agencies. Concerned stakeholders are requested to cooperate,” read the official statement issued by CDO Tiwari.

Over dozen vehicles set ablaze 

Similarly, the demonstrators set fire to the vehicle carrying Santosh Pariyar, the Chief Whip of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, in front of the CCRC College, Balkumari. The protesters stopped the vehicle and set it on fire.

After the curfew was imposed in the evening, Pariyar was heading his home in Bhaktapur through an inner route. He stated that a crowd coming from the front blocked his way.

"As soon as they saw the government license plate, they stopped the vehicle and started shouting. It was just me and the driver inside. They forced both of us out and then set the vehicle on fire. Fortunately, we are both safe," he said.

Meanwhile, the government has said that eight vehicles were torched by the protestors of the at Jadibuti-based Sancho Factory. 

Although, total details of the loss of property and vehicles that were torched by the protestors are yet to come, nearly two dozens of vehicles including both private and public and government vehicles were burnt down in different places of the Valley on Friday afternoon, said Chhabi Rijal at the press meet. The mob also set the office of the CPN (Unified Socialist) on fire.

Seven injured, one in critical condition Likewise, seven individuals who were injured in a clash with the police at Tinkune during the violent demonstration are receiving treatment at various hospitals in Kathmandu. 

According to the information of the Police Headquarters, five of the injured are admitted to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, and two others at the National Trauma Centre. 

According to Dr. Mohan Chandra Regmi from the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, the five persons injured by gunshots are being treated in the emergency ward. 

He said that all of them had been shot below their waist, and their condition is stable.

According to Badri Rijal, the director of the National Trauma Centre, two persons with gunshot wounds are also receiving treatment there. One of them, who was shot in the abdomen, is in critical condition and undergoing emergency surgery. 

Another person being treated there had a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

There were reports on social media showing protestors seizing police guns and engaging in violent attacks.  

Similarly, Joint Secretary Rijal said that according to the preliminary report, 15 protestors and 15 security personnel were injured in today's protest.

The movement also has the support of Rajendra Lingden's Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and Kamal Thapa's party RPP-N.