KATHMANDU, March 29: The government has decided to revoke former King Gyanendra Shah's state privileges and cancel his passport, accusing him of inciting violent protests. This decision follows the violent demonstration that Durga Prasai led on Friday.
"A probe has revealed suspicions that former king Gyanendra orchestrated the protest. Authorities have begun the process of canceling his passport to prevent him from fleeing abroad," a senior official at the Ministry of Home Affairs stated.
Cabinet ministers have recommended action against those responsible for the violence that killed two people, restrict Gyanendra's travel and stripp him of his privileges. An emergency cabinet meeting on Friday night held a serious discussion on these measures, according to sources.
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Since Saturday morning, the police have been collecting evidence. Investigators are pursuing charges of murder, attempted murder, criminal violence and organized crime. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has ordered strict action against the perpetrators, stressing that while peaceful protests are acceptable, violent acts leading to loss of life and destruction of properties must be punished.
The movement to reinstate Gyanendra as king has turned increasingly anarchic. The royalist demonstration in Tinkune on Friday escalated into violence, leaving two people dead, including a journalist. Many security personnel and civilians sustained injuries and rioters destroyed private property worth billions. The mob set fire to journalist Suresh Rajak, killing him, while a gunshot killed Sabin Maharjan during the clash between police personnel and agitating protesters.
Durga Prasai, a key figure in the "Bring Back the King" campaign, allegedly attempted to run over security personnel with his vehicle. His actions provoked the crowd, triggering widespread stone-pelting. As the situation spiraled out of control, campaign leader Nabaraj Subedi fled the scene, while Prasai drove away. After their departure, rioters torched private homes and vandalized public property.
The violent mob burned eight vehicles from the Jadibuti Processing and Production Company. They also destroyed a traffic police post, vandalized motorcycles at the Maoist Center's headquarters in Paris Danda, and set fire to the headquarters of the CPN (Unified Socialist). In Koteshwor, they looted and ransacked the Bhatbhateni Supermarket.