KATHMANDU, March 29: What began as a pro-monarchy demonstration at 11:00 am on Friday in the Tinkune area of Kathmandu soon turned tense as violent confrontations between protesters and police resulted in huge property damage.
The protest aimed to demonstrate support for the monarchy has left the capital city on edge with the government countering by instituting extra security measures, including imposing a curfew.
At least two persons, including a photojournalist, were killed in clashes between the police and the agitating pro-monarchy protesters as the protest turned violent resulting in arson and vandalism at the Tinkune area.
While a youth from the protesting party was killed in police action, a photojournalist who was taking footage of the pro-monarchy protest from a nearby building was found charred to death after the protestors set fire to the building alleging that police personnel had used the building to lob tear gas shells against them.
The body of Suresh Rajak, a photojournalist with Avenues TV, was found charred beyond recognition.
Protester Sabin Maharjan, 29, succumbed to injuries he sustained during the clashes at Tinkune, the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed in a press conference. He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the TU Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj.
According to a statement released by the District Police Range (DPR), Kathmandu, a total of 110 individuals including security personnel sustained injuries while 51 people were arrested for their involvement in the protest, vandalism and arson carried out by the pro-monarchy group.
According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Apil Raj Bohara at the District Police Range (DPR), Kathmandu, of the 110 individuals injured during the protest, 35 are pro-monarchy protesters, 53 are police personnel and 22 are personnel mobilized by the Armed Police Force.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sekhar Khanal, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari, informed Republica that four police personnel who sustained severe injuries are currently receiving treatment at the Nepal Police Hospital.
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According to the DPR, a total of 15 vehicles, including 9 government vehicles and 6 private vehicles, were vandalized by the pro-monarchy demonstrators. In addition to the damage to vehicles, 14 different places were set on fire and 9 institutions and offices were vandalized, according to the police.
Protest turns violent as demonstrators clash with police
Altercations between the pro-monarchy protesters and security personnel deployed by the Kathmandu police grew violent on Friday afternoon as protesters, mobilized by the Joint People's Movement Committee (JPMC) under the command of medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai, attempted to push aside a police barricade and march to the restricted area towards Baneshwar. The group, which had been confined to the Tinkune area as their protest site, disobeyed the instructions of the authorities and attempted to clear security fences put up by the police.
The police, in turn, reacted by using water cannons, followed by tear gas to disperse the crowds. The demonstrators disregarded the use of force, hurling stones and bricks at police personnel. The situation became unruly as the police used five rounds of tear gas shells, and baton charged to drive away the demonstrators. The battle intensified as protesters retreated to Tinkune, only to subsequently burn private properties within the vicinity.
Protestors burn properties and ransack shops
During the unrest, some houses in Tinkune were also broken into and one house was set ablaze, escalating the already charged atmosphere. By the evening, multiple vehicles were reportedly burnt by the protesters, among them a government vehicle near the Police Sector, Koteshwar. Amid the anarchy, a mob of demonstrators broke into the Bhatbhateni Superstore in Koteshwar, ransacking merchandise and burning some of the products. The pro-monarchy protesters engaged in confrontations with security personnel on-duty at the store.
Police battle to keep rising violence in check
In the midst of heightened chaos, the police were unsuccessful in containing the situation. Apart from tear gas, security personnel fired three aerial rounds in an attempt to disperse unruly crowds. Protesters continued to set fire to tires and vandalize property, including buildings linked to political parties.
A female officer of the Armed Police Force was wounded after being attacked by protesters. Things only worsened as protestors attempted to break through police barricades, and even stole weapons from the security officials. A tear gas gun was reported to have been seized by the demonstrators, as a sign of how far out of hand the protest had escalated.
Curfew imposed to control restlessness
As the violence continued to escalate into other regions of Kathmandu, the Chief District Officer Rishiram Tiwari imposed a curfew at Tinkune and its surrounding areas including Koteshwar and Baneshwar in accordance with Section 6 (a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028 BS. The curfew was imposed from 4:25 pm to 10:00 pm.
In a statement, Chief District Officer Rishiram Tiwari explained that curfew was instituted due to the extent of the violence, which had reached a critical point. Stone-hurling, torching, and vandalism had progressed from Tinkune to destinations such as Parisdanda, where vehicles were set ablaze and stores vandalized by the protesters. The curfew extended until 10 pm on Friday, with the District Administration Office requesting citizens to stay indoors and support security officials.
Durga Prasai ducks in time
The organizer of the protest, Durga Prasai, was surrounded by police when his car attempted to muscle through the barricades. Police charged when tensions heightened, unleashing water cannons and baton charges. The protest turned into a boiling point when protesters hurled stones and torched several properties, including houses. In defense, Prasai fled from the scene, and the protest organizers deserted the protest shortly after violence intensified.
Fire and destruction engulf southeast capital
The violence continued long after curfew was imposed, as the agitators redirected their frustration elsewhere. Protestors torched the Jadibuti factory in Koteshwar from its Pepsi Cola junction and several cars that were parked within its garage were also set ablaze.
When dispersing from the demonstration at Tinkune, the pro-monarchist protestors vandalized a number of buildings. A van in Koteshwar was also set ablaze, and demonstrators even vandalized the headquarters of CPN (Unified Socialist) at Aloknagar. According to reports, the office of Annapurna Media Network was also attacked by the demonstrators, and another such an assault occurred at the offices of CPN (Maoist Center) in Koteshwar.
Government response and military deployment
An emergency meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs was convened to discuss the situation and weigh possible options, including the potential deployment of the Nepali Army to assist in maintaining order.
To manage the crisis, the government deployed additional security personnel, including the Nepali Army, to support the personnel deployed by the Kathmandu DPR. The security personnel were authorized to use firearms if required to gain control of the situation.
Nepali Army vehicles plied on the Tinkune section with heavily armed personnel by Friday evening, easing the tensions. Fire trucks reached the burning building hours late, after the Tinkune area returned to normalcy.
Fire in front of TIA disrupts flights for over 45 minutes
A fire ignited by a royalist group in front of the Tribhuvan International Airport caused a disruption in flight operations for 45 minutes. The group set fire in an open area near the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal's office and the Nepal Oil Corporation.
According to Rinji Sherpa, the spokesperson for Tribhuvan International Airport, the fire resulted in a delay of 45 minutes. "Flights were affected for about 45 minutes, but we successfully controlled the fire and resumed operations," he said.
