Rastriya Prajatantra Party Protests in Kathmandu for Monarchy Reinstatement
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Synopsis
The RPP is organizing a protest in Kathmandu demanding the monarchy's reinstatement and the release of its leaders. Security forces remain vigilant after previous violent protests resulted in casualties and arrests.
Key Takeaways
- The RPP is advocating for the reinstatement of the monarchy.
- Authorities are deploying significant police presence for security.
- Previous protests turned violent, resulting in fatalities.
- RPP leaders remain in custody as investigations continue.
- The protest is expected to be peaceful if managed properly.
Kathmandu, April 8 (NationPress) The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), which supports the monarchy, is preparing to hold a protest on Tuesday at Balkhu, Kathmandu, advocating for the restoration of the monarchy and the release of its leaders and supporters currently detained by police. Authorities are on high alert following a violent protest on March 28 in the Tinkune area of Kathmandu.
During the previous protests, two individuals lost their lives and hundreds sustained injuries in clashes between security forces and pro-monarchy demonstrators.
Local reports indicate that multiple leaders and supporters of the pro-monarchy movement were arrested as a result of the unrest.
Nabaraj Subedi, the coordinator of the Joint People’s Movement aimed at reinstating the monarchy, has been placed under house arrest. Meanwhile, RPP Vice-Chair Rabindra Mishra and General Secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana remain in police custody.
The Kathmandu District Court recently extended the remand for these RPP leaders and 39 others for further investigation regarding their roles in the protests.
The protest scheduled for Tuesday, under the banner ‘Let’s change the system to change the situation’, will be led by RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden and supported by the Joint People’s Movement.
Approximately 2,000 personnel from the Nepal Police will be deployed for security during the demonstration, as stated by Dinesh Kumar Acharya, a spokesperson for the police.
“We anticipate that this demonstration, organized by a party with 14 seats in Parliament, will be peaceful,” remarked a senior police official. The authorities have issued warnings of strict action against any protesters engaging in vandalism or arson.
Both the government and royalist factions have exchanged blame for inciting violence during the Tinkune protests.
Last week, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli threatened legal repercussions for pro-monarchy supporters involved in the violent clashes, asserting that even former King Gyanendra Shah would face consequences if implicated.
While addressing Parliament, he cautioned RPP members against actions that could undermine the Constitution, which they are sworn to uphold.
Oli's remarks prompted protests from RPP lawmakers in Parliament, with Chair Rajendra Lingden accusing republican parties of fostering corruption since the monarchy's end in 2008.
During a House meeting following the Prime Minister's address, Lingden warned that the republican system could be overturned if the populace desired such a change. He questioned, “Were only the protesters to blame for the riots? Isn’t it the government's responsibility to manage the situation?”
Lingden further claimed that security forces exacerbated tensions by using expired tear gas from rooftops and called for the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the Tinkune incident.
