Pro-Monarchy Protest Turns Violent in Kathmandu
Riot Police Deployed to Break Up Rally
Violence erupted in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Friday as riot police lobbed tear gas, fired water cannon, and used rattan sticks to break up a protest rally demanding the restoration of constitutional monarchy. At least two people were killed in the violence, police said.
The trouble began when thousands of protesters, some carrying Nepal’s national flag, hurled stones and tried to break a barricade to march towards the parliament building in central Kathmandu. Police fired in the air to drive away the "unruly" crowd, said one police official, Kumar Neupane.
Two People Killed, 17 Injured
The two people killed included one of the protesters and a journalist who was covering the rally, a police spokesman, Dinesh Kumar Acharya, told Reuters. Avenues TV said one of its journalists had died when a house he was in was set ablaze. Another 17 people, including three police personnel, were injured, said Shekhar Khanal, a Nepal police spokesman. Three protesters are in police custody, he added.
Curfew Declared, Protesters Set Fires
To stem further escalation of the violence, authorities later imposed a curfew in the affected area, said Ashok Kumar Bhandari, a spokesman for the Kathmandu district administration. The curfew was declared for a short period of time, till 10pm, but can be extended depending on what turn the situation takes.
Protesters had set fire to a private house and a vehicle, said Khanal. The home ministry statement said protesters had vandalised private property, a hospital, a political party office, vehicles, a media house, and a shopping mall.
Nepal’s Political Instability
Nepal, one of the world’s poorest countries, has seen the formation of 14 governments in the 16 years since the abolition of the monarchy. The political instability has stymied economic growth, prompting millions of young people to seek work abroad, mainly in the oil-rich Middle East, South Korea, and Malaysia.
Public frustration has been rising over the failure of successive governments to deliver on commitments to develop the economy, which remains reliant on aid and tourism. Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks, including Mount Everest.
Conclusion
The violence that erupted in Kathmandu on Friday is a stark reminder of the ongoing political instability in Nepal. The country’s fragile economy and the failure of successive governments to deliver on promises have led to widespread frustration among the public. The pro-monarchy protest, which turned violent, is just one example of the many protests and demonstrations that are taking place across the country.
FAQs
- What was the purpose of the pro-monarchy protest?
The protest was demanding the restoration of constitutional monarchy in Nepal. - How many people were injured in the violence?
17 people, including three police personnel, were injured. - What was the outcome of the curfew imposed in the affected area?
The curfew was declared for a short period of time, till 10pm, but can be extended depending on what turn the situation takes. - What are the economic challenges facing Nepal?
Nepal is one of the world’s poorest countries, and its economy is reliant on aid and tourism. The country has seen the formation of 14 governments in the 16 years since the abolition of the monarchy, which has stymied economic growth.