Kathmandu, March 29 (H.S.): Protests by supporters of the former king in Nepal are leading to the arrest of prominent leaders. The national vice president and general secretary of the National Democratic Party, which is considered pro-monarchy, have also been arrested by the police. The former king has been placed under house arrest, with former King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah confined to his residence at Nirmal Niwas.
Following violent clashes between police and protesters, numerous incidents of arson, and an incident where a journalist was burned alive, the Home Ministry and then the Prime Minister convened an emergency cabinet meeting late on Friday night. The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister KP Oli, included chiefs of all security agencies: the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the Intelligence Department. During this meeting, they discussed the current situation and how to address it. After the meeting, government spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung stated that acts of vandalism, arson, looting, and the burning of a journalist are inhumane and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. The organizers have been deemed primarily responsible, and legal action against them has been directed to be pursued.
Home Ministry spokesperson Chhabi Rizal stated that the organizers are responsible for the entire incident. Arrest warrants have been issued for all prominent leaders leading the movement. Following this, over 50 individuals, including the general secretary and MP Dhawal Shamsher Rana, party vice president Ravindra Mishra, coordinator of the united struggle committee Navaraj Suvedi, and spokesperson Swagat Nepal, have been arrested. Throughout Kathmandu, police have been conducting search operations to apprehend leaders and activists involved in the movement.
The chief of Kathmandu police, SSP Vishva Adhikari, has stated that arrests have been made of key leaders from the National Democracy Party and those identified in the incidents of vandalism and arson. A warrant for the arrest of Durga Prajapati, who has been appointed as the commander of the Joint People's Struggle Committee formed for the restoration of monarchy, has been issued; however, he has not been apprehended despite police raids at several locations.
The police allege that Durga drove the vehicle through a police blockade himself, which caused the crowd to become aggressive. A video of the incident has been uploaded on social media by Durga Prajapati's team. Durga Prajapati will face criminal charges for inciting protests, vandalism, and arson.
Meanwhile, reports have emerged that, under government directives, former king Gyanendra's Nirmal Niwas residence has been surrounded by armed forces and the Nepalese army. According to a senior police officer, he has been placed under house arrest. Former King Gyanendra and other members of his family have been prohibited from leaving Nirmal Niwas or from allowing anyone from outside to enter. However, as a former king, Gyanendra Shah continues to receive VVIP security from the Nepalese army. Sources claim that the Nepalese government holds Gyanendra Shah primarily responsible for the protests in favor of monarchy and the incident that occurred on Friday. Preparations are underway by the government to file charges against him.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
