RPP Demonstration: Police lob tear gas, RPP demands Home Minister’s resignation
Kathmandu, 09 Apr: Police used force–tear gas, water cannon and canes–to obstruct the Rastriya Prajatantra Party procession demanding restoration of monarchy in the capital today.
The procession that began from Bhrikuti Mandap with ‘determination’ to break the prohibitory orders imposed by the district administration was, however, stopped by the police much ahead of the prohibited area attacking party vice President Buddhiman Tamang and several other activists near Bhadrakali.
‘We have already submitted a 40-point charter of demands and now we want Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane’s resignation as well,’ Rajendra Lingden, Chairman of the party who led the protest that crippled capital’s traffic system for nearly four hours said.
Leaders said their movement will continue until the current system is gone and Nepall’s earlier status of a ‘Hindu Kingdom ‘ restored.
Police lobbed tear gas and charged water cannons along with batons to disperse demonstrators as they attempted to breach prohibitory order marching towards Singha Durbar. The persistent demonstrators in turn pelted stones at police.
The demonstrators gathered at Bhadrakali were about to advance towards Singha Durbar, and the party leadership had decided that while they would not cause any damage to the government or private property, they would defy the prohibitory orders that curtailed the right to protest guaranteed by the constitution.
The party had submitted a 40-point demand to the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on 21 February and stated that it would begin nation-wide demonstration in order to push the government for the fulfilment. Reinstatement of Monarchy and Hindu State along with abolition of the federal system are among the demands put forth by the RPP.
The security has been tightened with security personnel from Nepal police, Armed police and a specialized team being mobilized to ensure peace fearing possible unrest.
Over 4000 security personnel were deployed along a three kilometer route of protest.
Below are pictures captured by Desh Shanchar’s Barsha Shah:
