Scenes of everyday life are back in Nepal as normality returns. Curfew was lifted on Saturday in the eastern part of Kathmandu, initially imposed following intense clashes between security forces and monarchy supporters. Tensions escalated on Friday across parts of Kathmandu as royalist protesters hurled stones, targeted a political party office, set vehicles ablaze, and looted shops in the Tinkune area.
Fatalities Reported
The violent skirmish resulted in the deaths of two individuals, one being a TV cameraman. To re-establish order, the army was deployed. A statement from the Kathmandu District Administration Office indicated that a curfew, in effect from 4:25 PM Friday, ceased by 7 AM on Saturday.
Over 100 Arrested Amidst Chaos
During the unrest on Friday, police apprehended 105 agitators involved in setting fire to structures and vandalizing vehicles. Demonstrators demanded the restoration of both the monarchy and the Hindu state.
The protests turned violent when the movement's coordinator, Durga Prasai, breached security barriers and advanced towards Baneshwar in a bulletproof vehicle, close to the parliamentary premises. Among those detained were National Democratic Party's General Secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana and central member Rabindra Mishra.
Prasai, a key figure in Friday's protests, remains at large. Reports from the police detail injuries to 53 police officers, 22 armed police force members, and 35 protesters. The violent acts led to fires in 14 buildings and damage to nine. Furthermore, nine government vehicles were incinerated, and six private vehicles were damaged.
Protesters also targeted the Kantipur Television building and Annapurna Media House in the Tinkune area. Since a parliamentary declaration in 2008, political parties in Nepal abolished a monarchy that had lasted 240 years, transforming the former Hindu state into a secular, federal, democratic republic.
Royalist protesters rallied for monarchy restoration following a video message appealing for support during Democracy Day (February 19) by the former king. They also held a rally on March 9, backing the former king as he arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport after a tour of religious sites from Pokhara.
