KATHMANDU, March 28: A curfew has been imposed in the Tinkune area of Kathmandu, following escalating violence during pro-monarchy protests.
The Kathmandu District Administration Office enforced the curfew from Shantinagar Bridge to Manohara River Bridge.
SSP Bishwaraj Adhikari, the chief of the Kathmandu District Police Office, said that the police enforced the curfew as the situation had gotten out of control.
Chief District Officer Rishiram Tiwari issued the order, enforcing the curfew from 4:25 PM on Saturday until 10 PM, in accordance with Section 6 (ka) of the Local Administration Act, 2028.
Curfew in Kathmandu's Tinkune area lifted
The curfew has been imposed in several areas, including from Gaushala to the airport, covering Garidhara, Tinkune, and Koteshwor. It also extends from Koteshwor to Jadibuti Bridge, Koteshwor to Balkumari Bridge, and from Banasthar Chowk to Shankhamul Bridge. Additionally, the curfew includes the area from Gaushala Chowk to Old Baneshwor and New Baneshwor Chowk.
The curfew order prohibits movement, gatherings, processions, protests, meetings, and road blockages within the specified areas. The Kathmandu administration has stated that the curfew order was issued for public safety and has urged citizens to remain vigilant in order to ensure security.
The decision enforce curfew was made after the protesters resorted to arson and vandalism in Tinkune area, prompting security forces to take action. Prior to the curfew, police issued warnings via loudspeakers.
As tensions escalated, demonstrators engaged in arson and attempted attacks on public and private properties in Tinkune and its surrounding areas. Security forces have since brought the fires under control and are working to restore order in the area.
The decision follows incidents of violence in the Koteshwar-based Parisdanda area, where pro-monarchy protesters, previously chased away from Tinkune, set a vehicle on fire and vandalized a motorcycle.
The situation in Tinkune had already turned tense after demonstrators, marching from various parts of the Kathmandu Valley, engaged in unruly activities. Additional acts of vandalism and stone-pelting were reported during the unrest.
After being dispersed from Tinkune, the pro-monarchist protesters vandalized the central office of the CPN (Unified Socialist) in Aloknagar and attempted to enter the party office of the CPN (Maoist Center) in Koteshwar.
The situation worsened as the protesters continued to cause destruction in Parisdanda, setting vehicles on fire. Police reported that the unruly protesters also attempted to vandalize the Bhatbhateni Store in Koteshwar and set fire to the office of Annapurna Media Network.