KATHMANDU: Following the March 28 royalist protest led by Durga Prasai and Nabaraj Subedi in Tinkune, 89 out of the 148 arrested have been released into family custody.
Speaking at the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of Parliament on Friday, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak informed that those released were taken into custody from various locations, including Tinkune, Koteshwar, Jadibuti, and Sinamangal, following acts of vandalism, arson, and violence.
According to Minister Lekhak, the rally was initially permitted by the local administration as a peaceful demonstration.
Among those detained were lawmakers and political figures, including RPP Senior Vice-chair Rabindra Mishra and MP Dhawal Shamsher Rana.
A total of 66 individuals, including Mishra and Rana, are now under investigation with permission from the Kathmandu District Court.
Lekhak claimed that Prasai played a key role in instigating the crowd.
“During the protest, Durga Prasai arrived in vehicle number Ba. Pra. 01-028 Ch. 0201, using obscene language, provoking the crowd, and attempting to break through the security barricade with the intent to run over officers,” Minister Lekhak stated.
Following Prasai’s actions, the situation escalated, leading to stone pelting and attacks on police officers with glass bottles.
Protestors also vandalized traffic islands, attacked security forces, and set fire to the Indreni Cooperative building.
Lekhak further explained that police attempted verbal warnings multiple times before using force to disperse the crowd.
Security personnel exercised maximum restraint to avoid casualties despite being attacked, he added.
“Had the police not shown restraint, the situation could have escalated into a much bigger disaster,” Lekhak said.
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