Kathmandu, March 28
Republicans and monarchists are holding separate demonstrations in the Kathmandu Valley today. The republicans are protesting at Bhrikuti Mandap, while the monarchists are demonstrating at Tinkune.
The republican demonstration is led by the Socialist Front, which includes the Maoist Centre, CPN (Unified Socialist), Nepal Socialist Party, and the Biplav-led CPN. The monarchist demonstration is led by former Panchayat-era politician, 86-year-old Navaraj Subedi, with medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai acting as the commander of today’s protest.
The Socialist Front has stated that their demonstration aims to warn the government against corruption and misgovernance, while the monarchists are demanding the restoration of the constitutional monarchy. Today’s SEE examination will conclude at 11 AM, and the demonstrations are scheduled to begin at 12 PM.
As both demonstrations are set to take place at the same time, security measures have been heightened across the Kathmandu Valley. Monarchist groups will not be allowed to enter inside the Ring Road, while republicans will be restricted to the Ring Road area.
Both sides view today’s rally as a show of strength, and they are making efforts to bring as many people as possible to Kathmandu. Supporters are being transported by bus from various districts. Some have already arrived, while others are still on their way.
According to a leader of the Maoist Centre, the largest party in the Socialist Front, each provincial committee has been instructed to mobilize 10,000 supporters. Mass organizations have been directed to bring between 3,000 to 5,000 participants. A leader involved in the protest preparations told Onlinekhabar, “We are preparing to bring out around 100,000 to 150,000 people. Let’s see how many we can actually gather.”
Similarly, the monarchists, with support from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, are preparing to gather as many people as possible for their demonstration. A leader of the movement coordination committee said, “We were encouraged by the large turnout on March 9 during the welcome of King Gyanendra Shah, and today, we will gather even more people than that.”
With two opposing groups holding simultaneous demonstrations, traffic management in the Kathmandu Valley is certain to be disrupted. Concerns have arisen about the possibility of unpleasant incidents during the protest, and the Australian Embassy in Nepal has issued a safety notice, urging caution due to the large political demonstration.
According to AIG Tekbahadur Tamang, the head of the Kathmandu Valley Police Office in Ranipokhari, 2,500 police officers will be deployed for security. He mentioned that the number could be increased if necessary. “We have made all necessary preparations for security. More than 2,500 officers will be deployed, and if the need arises, even more may be mobilized,” he said.
The Armed Police Force has also completed its preparations. According to DIG Kumar Neupane, the spokesperson for the Armed Police Force, 50 platoons of armed police will be deployed, meaning around 1,750 officers will be mobilized, as each platoon consists of 35 personnel.
The monarchist procession coming from Bhaktapur will pass through Durga Prasai’s private residence, then proceed via Koteshwor and reach Tinkune. Another procession will come through Jorpati, Boudha, and Chabahil, eventually arriving at Tinkune. Similarly, another route has been set for the procession coming from Gongabu and Samakhushi, passing through Chabahil and reaching Tinkune. A procession from Kalanki will also head towards Tinkune, passing through Balkhu, Satdobato, and Koteshwor.
On the other hand, the Socialist Front’s procession will remain inside the Ring Road and gather at Bhrikuti Mandap. Processions will depart from Babarmahal-Maitighar, Kupandol-Thapathali, and Sohrakhutte-Paknajol, all heading to Bhrikuti Mandap.
The security authorities believe that the Socialist Front’s procession will stay within the Ring Road and head to Bhrikuti Mandap, while Prasai’s group will not enter the Ring Road, which should help prevent any confrontations or clashes between the two groups.
