Prasai brought back to Nepal under police escort

KATHMANDU: Controversial medical entrepreneur and pro-monarchy activist Durga Prasai has been safely escorted to the Nepal border by Indian police after seeking protection in Assam, according to a statement issued by the United National People’s Movement Mobilization Committee (UNPMMC).

The committee claims that Prasai, who has been spearheading a campaign for the reinstatement of the monarchy in Nepal, approached Indian authorities out of concern for his personal safety.

Subsequently, Indian security officials ensured his safe passage up to the Nepalese border.

The committee publicly expressed gratitude to Assam Police for their cooperation.

“Prasai has neither been arrested nor surrendered. He voluntarily sought protection from the police citing threats to his life,” said Swagat Nepal, spokesperson for the UNPMMC, in a press release.

The statement further emphasized that Prasai is a cancer patient and has pending court appearances.

The committee has appealed to the National Human Rights Commission and the Nepalese government to ensure his safe passage to both hospital and court.

The committee has also accused the government of forcing Prasai into exile following a peaceful pro-monarchy rally held in Tinkune, Kathmandu. “He was hounded out of the country,” the release stated, raising concerns over his safety and urging national and international human rights organizations, journalists, and civil society leaders to help ensure Prasai’s protection.

Meanwhile, high-level security sources in Nepal have confirmed that Prasai has been taken into custody in Assam and is being escorted to Nepal by a team from the Nepal Police’s Special Bureau.

There appears to be some discrepancy in accounts, however, as Prasai’s secretariat maintains that he voluntarily surrendered to the police in Assam.

Prasai had been out of contact since March 28, following a royalist demonstration in which he reportedly drove his vehicle through a police barricade.

Since then, his whereabouts had remained unknown until his reappearance in Assam.