KATHMANDU, Aug 13: Deciding in favor of the Commission for the Investigation on Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the Kathmandu District Administration Office on Friday declared the vicinities around the anti-graft body prohibited areas pending further notice.

According to the District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu, the prohibition was in line with the section 6 (3) of the Local Administration Act-1971.

Assistant Chief District Officer Ganesh Prasad Bhattarai, in a press statement, said that the prohibition has been imposed in view of security risks near sensitive establishments like the CIAA office, Nepal Police Headquarters, residences of Prime Minister, Speaker and Chief Justice, among other important buildings.

“The road is crowded even during the normal times. During protests, the crowd would disrupt VIP movements and general traffic,” Assistant CDO Bhattarai said adding.  

The new prohibited areas cover Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Bishalnagar, way to Haandigaun and Gahanapokhari chowk in the east, near Ganesh Temple in the north, Gairidhari Chowk in the west, and from Naxal chowk to Bal Mandir in the south.

Earlier, prime minister's official residence at Baluwatar, parliament house in New Baneshwar, the road between southern gate of Singha Durbar and Hanumansthan were announced prohibited zones. Similarly, Maitighar Mandala through the western gate of Singha Durbar to Padmodaya High School in Putalisadak and Bhadrakali areas were declared prohibited areas.

“We are not trying to restrict protests, assemblies, rallies in the areas,” Assistant CDO said.

The number of protests and rallies were increasing in the recent days in those areas showing solidarity with Dr Govinda KC and seeking property details of CIAA chief Lok Man Singh Karki.