KATHMANDU, July 1: Solidarity for Dr GKC Alliance has questioned the legal basis of the government’s decision to ban civil protests in the Kathmandu Valley.

The government headed by Prime Minister KP Oli decided in April to restrict protests in the Kathmandu Valley except at seven locations including Khulamanch and Lainchaur. Prohibition of protests at Maitighar Mandala, a roundabout popular for staging protests near Singha Durbar, the government seat, has been widely criticized from many walks of life.

In this context, Solidarity for Dr GKC Alliance visited the Kathmandu District Administration Office to know about the legal basis of the restriction imposed by the government, said engineer Pritam Subedi, campaigner of the Alliance. “The government’s decision allows authorities to arrest people even those who stage protests in front of their homes,” he said. “So, we demanded information on the legal status of the decision by using the Right to Information Act,” he added.

However, the government officials did not furnish the legal ground of the decision, said Subedi. “It’s a decision made on whims. Our protest yesterday (Saturday) at Maitighar, seeking the cancellation of the prohibition has been now justified,” he claimed. “We also urge the government to abide by the rule of law.”

 
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