KDAO bans public gatherings near Narayanhiti Palace.
KATHMANDU, May 30 – In response to ongoing protests by pro-monarchy groups, the Kathmandu District Administration Office (KDAO) has declared the area in front of Narayanhiti Palace a restricted zone. The ban prohibits public gatherings and events in the area starting May 31 through June 7.
Chief District Officer Rishi Ram Tiwari issued the order on Friday evening, banning assemblies of more than five people along the road from Keshar Mahal to the Jaynepal intersection, and from Mahendra Statue to the southern gate of Narayanhiti Palace.
This move follows a surge in activity from royalist groups who recently announced an "indefinite" protest campaign. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), the only mainstream political party supporting the monarchy, has been organizing rallies in the Kathmandu Valley for the past few months.
One such protest turned violent on March 28 in Tinkune, resulting in the deaths of two people, including photojournalist Suresh Rajak, who died in a fire while covering the demonstration. Following the incident, the government filed a chargesheet against 61 individuals in the Kathmandu District Court, accusing them of crimes including murder and sedition.
Recently, monarchist groups have returned to the streets demanding the restoration of the monarchy, the declaration of Nepal as a Hindu state, and the removal of the federal system. Protests were held on Thursday in Ratnapark and continued on Friday in the Maitighar-Babarmahal area.
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