Police working to ensure safety in May 29 pro-royalist rally

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 24: Nepal Police have intensified security protocols across the capital to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure public safety, keeping in mind the proposed May 29 demonstrations of the   pro-royalist groups. 

Speaking at a press conference held at the Police Headquarters on Friday, Nepal Police spokesperson and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramesh Thapa affirmed that special security arrangements have been made and assured the public that no unwanted incident would occur causing harm to life or property.

Echoing this assurance, SSP Shekhar Khanal, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Police Office based in Ranipokhari, emphasised that security has been significantly tightened, minimising the likelihood of any unpleasant incident.

The move comes in the wake of a violent protest staged by royalist supporters on March 28 at Tinkune, in which two individuals, including a journalist, died. The protest had descended into chaos, involving acts of vandalism, looting and arson that resulted in significant damage to private property.

Shocked by the severity of the previous incident, the law enforcement agencies are well prepared to avert similar incident. 

Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining law and order during the upcoming rally of the pro-monarchist groups in the capital.

According to the Police Headquarters, over 4,000 security personnel will be there on the spot during the day. Additional backups and a special riot control squad will be in a ready position to control any untoward incident during the pre-scheduled protest rally announced by the royalist group in the capital, said SSP Thapa. In another context, regarding the disclosure and submission of the investigation report of the Tinkune violent protest, SSP Thapa said that as soon as the report gets finalised, the Headquarters would hand over the report to the government and make it public within a few days.  

During the press meet, SSP Thapa also said that the financial, cyber, drug abuse and social crimes and road accidents have become common challenges for Nepal Police and the country. These crimes pose a significant challenge to both society and police administration to curb them, he said

According to SSP Thapa, a unified approach and coordinated efforts from all sectors are essential to effectively address the various forms of crimes emerging in the country.

SSP Thapa said that among all crimes, financial or banking fraudulent crimes have emerged as the most prevalent form of crime in the capital and other cities of the country. “In the last 10 months of the current fiscal (2024/25), a total of 11,048 banking and other financial crimes have been registered from across the country. Of the total registered financial crimes, 6,547 were registered in the capital, followed by Koshi Province with 1,004 total cases,” he said.

Likewise, within the last 10 months, the Police Headquarters conducted preliminary investigations into 30 money laundering cases, of which seven cases had been formally registered in the court, while 23 are still under investigation, added SSP Thapa. 

He also claimed that from the total seven registered money laundering cases, the police had sought Rs. 3.78 billion recovery of the amount equal to the damage made. In the money laundering cases, police have so far been able to arrest 91 persons in the last 10 months and 114 are still at large, said police.