Kathmandu on high security alert

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu, the federal capital of Nepal, is set to witness two large-scale protests on the same day, with one led by republicans and the other by monarchists.

The republican rally is being organized by a four-party socialist alliance, while the monarchist demonstration is being led by the Royalist Restoration Joint People’s Movement Committee.

Since the last Democracy Day, former King Gyanendra Shah and royalist groups have been gaining momentum, signaling a resurgence of royalist sentiments.

For republicans, the issue is clear: there is no “compromise” on the republic. Therefore, they are gearing up for a demonstration in support of the republic, while the monarchists aim to counter this by rallying against the republic.

The monarchist protest has garnered support from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), RPP-Nepal, and several Hindu nationalist organizations.

These groups have even tried to involve former King Gyanendra Shah in their movement. The Royalist Restoration Committee’s leaders, including convener Navaraj Suvedi and Janak Commander Durga Prasai, have already met with the former monarch. They are planning to hold their rally and public assembly at Tripureshwor.

On the other hand, the republican demonstration will take place at Bhirkutimandap, organized by socialist parties including the CPN (Maoist Centre), CPN (Unified Socialist), Nepal Socialist Party (NSP), and the Nepal Communist Party.

These parties will lead processions from various parts of the city such as Babarmahal, Tripureshwor, Kupandol, Soharkhutte, Sundhara, New Road, Thapathali, Putalisadak, Maitidevi, and Kamaldil, among others.

The District Security Committee has already devised a security strategy to prevent any clashes between the two opposing groups.

As the protests are scheduled for the same day, the committee has designated separate locations for the two rallies: one at Tripureshwor for the monarchists and the other at Bhirkutimandap for the republicans.

In light of the simultaneous protests, the police will maintain heightened security measures throughout the capital.

The police have implemented a strategy to prevent any overlap between the monarchist and socialist rallies.

According to central police spokesperson DIG Dinesh Acharya, over 4,000 police personnel will be deployed across the Kathmandu Valley.

The Nepal Police will deploy 3,000 officers in areas like Rani Pokhari and Bhadrakali. In addition, another 1,116 officers from various battalions and regiments will be stationed in different parts of Kathmandu.

Due to these protests, traffic in the Kathmandu Valley is expected to be disrupted, with alternative traffic arrangements to be made after 11 a.m. on Friday, as confirmed by the Valley Traffic Chief SSP Binod Ghimire.