KATHMANDU, April 1: Tensions have risen in Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) after KMC Police confiscated the speakers of visually impaired street performers. The action has sparked a protest by the blind community, who argue that their ability to earn a living through music is being unjustly restricted.
The protests began on Monday, stretching from the heart of Kathmandu Metropolitan City to Bhrikutimandap. Demonstrators, primarily visually impaired individuals, voiced their demand for the right to use speakers while performing. They assert that music is a vital source of income and that being deprived of this opportunity severely impacts their livelihood.
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The conflict traces back two weeks when KMC Police seized the speakers of two blind performers in Swayambhu. The affected individuals claim that this is not the first instance of such action, and previous pleas for the return of their equipment have been ignored.
The protesters highlight the insufficiency of the government's monthly allowance of Rs 2,000, which fails to meet the basic needs of visually impaired citizens. They urge the government to either provide adequate employment opportunities or allow them to continue their musical performances as a means of sustenance.
Meanwhile, Nepal Police arrested 12 visually impaired individuals, including two women and 10 men, during a demonstration outside the Sundhara office of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC). The protesters, who were advocating for their rights and demands, were taken into custody by the police.
