KATHMANDU, March 28: Police baton-charged CPN-UML protesters on Saturday after they attempted to breach a restricted zone and enter Singha Durbar.
The confrontation unfolded as demonstrators protesting the arrest of party Chair KP Sharma Oli advanced toward the southern gate and clashed with security personnel.
Security has since been significantly tightened, with a heavy police presence deployed at the Singha Durbar gate to prevent further escalation.
Helipad to be constructed inside Singha Durbar
UML supporters staged protests in different parts of the Kathmandu Valley today, including Babarmahal, Bhrikutimandap, Chabhil, and Chyasal. They chanted slogans against Minister for Home Affairs Sudan Gurung, calling his decision to arrest Oli a political vendetta. They also burned traffic cones, road dividers, and copies of the report submitted by the Gauri Bahadur Karki-led commission, which probed the incidents of the Gen Z movement, calling it partial.
Tension between police and protesters erupted, leading to scuffles. The situation turned volatile after protesters attempted to force their way through, prompting police to use batons.
Along with Kathmandu, protests were also reported in other places such as Kanchanpur and Sindhuli, among others, demanding Oli’s release.
Oli, along with former Ministers for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak, Oli was arrested on Saturday morning.
UML has announced nationwide protests demanding the release of Chair Oli. Following the arrest, a Central Secretariat meeting on Saturday outlined a series of protests. Vice-Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal has been tasked with coordinating dialogue with parties represented in parliament, while General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel said that Gokarna Bista will coordinate legal protests and responses.
_20230407153301.jpg)
