Kathmandu: Violent pro-monarchy protests and reportedly deadly clashes with security forces occurred in Kathmandu on Friday (March 28). Protesters damaged government buildings, set dozens of vehicles ablaze and targeted media houses, including that of the Annapurna Media Network (AMN), one of the country’s largest.
The demonstrators, supporters of former King Gyanendra Shah, had gathered in the capital as part of their ongoing movement to reinstate the monarchy and declare Nepal a Hindu state.
According to the Kathmandu Post, two people died and 45 others suffered injuries amid clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
One of those who died was identified as a journalist who was filming footage for Avenues Television from the roof of its building, which protesters had set on fire.
Officials in Kathmandu imposed a curfew in Baneshwar-Tinkune and nearby areas between 4:25 pm and 10 pm local time in response to the violence, the Post also reported. As per Nepal News a team of the Nepali army was dispatched to Tinkune.
A mob, led by businessman Durga Prasai – who has emerged as a key figure in the pro-monarchy movement – targeted AMN, one of Nepal’s largest media houses.
They vandalised and set fire to the AMN’s office in Tinkune, causing significant damage to the building.
Security personnel and police managed to extinguish the fire before it spread further.
The protesters also vandalised Kantipur Publications, another major media organisation in Nepal.
Prasai allegedly incited the crowd by entering a restricted area.
Over the past few weeks, pro-monarchy groups have intensified street protests, demanding the reinstatement of Nepal as a Hindu state.
Media rights organisations have strongly condemned the attacks.
Media Action Nepal denounced the violence, including incidents of stone-pelting at the offices of Kantipur Television and Annapurna Post earlier in the day. The group described the targeted assaults on media houses as a serious threat to press freedom.
