KATHMANDU, April 2: A house became a sensation during the protest for the restoration of the monarchy on Friday in Tinkune, Kathmandu, and it is now the center of attention. People walking along the road stop to stare at the house and take photos. Though the fire in the house has been extinguished, the owner's heart still burns. He gazes at the house in frustration.
"This is the house I built 20 years ago after taking a loan of Rs 5 million from the bank. Back then, when I looked at the house, my heart leapt with joy," the owner, Nayan Bahadur Chhetri, told Republica on Tuesday. "Now, when I look at it, my heart feels shattered." He is not interested about which party is protesting or for what cause, nor is he interested in who has been suppressed.
He is not concerned with the future or present of the protest. However, the protest, in which he has no interest, has shattered his dream home. "The damage to the house is estimated at around Rs 1.8 million," he said, "but the mental anguish I have suffered is far greater."
He shared that not only he but also the four business owners in his house have endured hardship. "The first floor had marble, the second floor housed a veterinary clinic," he said, "and the third and fourth floors were occupied by an IT office."
He also mentioned that the lives of those who had set up shops in his house to earn a living have become difficult after the incident. He explained that he spent well on his house to maintain its aesthetic appeal, as it was located on the main road of Tinkune. He also beautified the neighboring house along with his own. His neighbor’s house, attached to the east, not only had its windows shattered but also suffered from a fire that caused both property and life damage.
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“This entire incident has left everyone fearful,” he said. “The state must calm the fearful hearts.”
However, he feels that the state has shown little concern so far. He shared that the ward office had acknowledged the damages, but beyond that, no one seemed to care. He expressed his frustration: “We did nothing wrong, yet our property has been damaged. Whoever is responsible, we deserve compensation.”
He demanded that compensation be provided not only to the homeowners but also to the shopkeepers in those houses, as they had also suffered significant losses. As he spoke, Tilak Bahadur Baruwal, who had opened a spa in the house attached to the one that caught fire, walked out with a grim face. Frustrated with foreign employment, he had sold his land in the village and opened a shop in the city. However, his dream turned to ashes as well.
"I had given up the dream of going abroad to start something new," Baruwal said. "But all my dreams burned in the fire of the protest." He shared that his spa center, where he had invested Rs 3.5 million and provided jobs to nine people, had suffered millions in damages.
The protest for the restoration of the monarchy on Friday in Tinkune, Kathmandu, turned violent and escalated into chaos, leading to the deaths of two people. During this, incidents of vandalism and arson caused widespread damage in several locations. However, with no one accepting responsibility for the damages, the victims remain uncertain.
After the police used force, scattered protesters vandalized private homes, set fires, damaged vehicles, and looted shops. They also vandalized the offices of Kantipur Television and Annapurna Post, and damaged the office of the CPN (Unified Socialist).
The police blame the protesters for the violence, while the protesters argue that the situation resulted from people living in those houses taking part in the attacks. However, the homeowners remain confused as they face the aftermath.
"Instead of shifting blame onto each other, identifying the real culprits is crucial," Chhetri says. "Only then will the victims feel they have received justice."
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), which advocates for the restoration of the monarchy, has refused to take responsibility for the violent protest that occurred on Friday. Mohan Shrestha, the RPP spokesperson, stated that the party will continue to participate in and morally support peaceful movements for a Hindu state with the king.
Shrestha emphasized that the RPP does not support violent protests. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs has confirmed that it will ensure compensation for the victims from those involved in the crimes. "We will provide compensation to the victims from those found guilty through the investigation," said Rabindra Acharya, the Ministry's information officer. "The police have already set the investigation into motion."