Tinkune Protests Turn Deadly: Two Lives Lost in Clashes and Fire

Kathmandu, Nepal – Violent protests in support of the restoration of the monarchy turned deadly on Friday, claiming the lives of two individuals in separate incidents.

The first fatality occurred in Tinkune, where clashes erupted between royalist demonstrators and law enforcement. Sabin Maharjan, a 29-year-old resident of Kirtipur, sustained critical injuries during the confrontation and later succumbed to them. He was among three individuals who were severely wounded in the unrest. Maharjan’s body is currently at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj.

Tragically, the protests also resulted in the death of a journalist. Suresh Rajak, a video journalist with Avenue Television, was live-reporting from a burning building when he became trapped and perished in the blaze. The circumstances surrounding the fire are still under investigation.

Bhaskar Rajkarnikar, the owner of Avenue Television, alleges that repeated attempts to contact the police and Kathmandu’s Chief District Officer (CDO) Rishiram Tiwari for assistance were met with silence. Sources indicate that the CDO did not answer Rajkarnikar’s calls. Initial statements from security officials denied Rajak’s involvement in the fire, but the Ministry of Home Affairs has since confirmed his death.

The incidents have sparked outrage and calls for a thorough investigation into the handling of the protests and the circumstances surrounding both deaths. The situation remains tense as authorities work to restore order and determine the full extent of the day’s events.