KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
RPP holds rally in Balkhu demanding monarchy and Hindu state
Leaders, activists, and supporters of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) gathered in Balkhu on Tuesday for a public meeting demanding the reinstatement of monarchy and a Hindu state.
The party shifted its protest venue from Bhrikutimandap to Balkhu after the local administration denied permission for the earlier location. The demonstration is part of a province-level movement by the RPP in Bagmati Province.
RPP spokesperson Mohan Shrestha announced that a Kathmandu-centric movement will begin from Baisakh 7. He also stressed the importance of maintaining discipline during the rally, especially in the wake of previous clashes.
Teachers protest continues in Kathmandu
Teachers across Nepal have taken to the streets of Kathmandu, lighting torches during the day to demand the immediate promulgation of the School Education Act.
The protest comes after seven days of street demonstrations, with the Nepal Teachers Federation (NTF) stating that the government has failed to address their concerns.
The teachers have been on an academic strike since Monday, halting classes in schools nationwide, with many educators from around the country joining the protests centered in the capital. On Tuesday, the protesters marched from Maitighar to Baneshwor, holding torches and calling for the swift enactment of the School Education Act, as agreed upon in previous discussions.
Shopkeepers in Balkhu close shutters in fear of violence amid royalist demonstration
Traders in the Balkhu area have closed their shutters in fear following the violence and vandalism that occurred during a royalist demonstration on March 28.
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) was holding a rally at Balkhu Chowk on Tuesday when local traders, shaken by the recent events, decided to shut down their businesses, fearing a repeat of the disturbances.
On March 28, multiple business centers and government offices from Tinkune to Koteshwor and Jadibuti were targeted by vandals, with some establishments set on fire.
RPP Chair accuses police of helping Durga Prasai flee during Tinkune protest
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairman Rajendra Lingden has accused the police of helping Durga Prasai flee during Tinkune protest.
Prasai is one of the leaders involved in the royalist protest on March 28.
Speaking at an RPP protest in Balkhu on Tuesday, Lingden claimed that the government was behind Prasai’s disappearance.
Rabindra Mishra and Dhawal Shumsher to remain in custody for 15 more days
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) senior vice-chair Rabindra Mishra and general secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana, arrested following the pro-monarchy protest in Kathmandu’s Tinkune on March 28, have been remanded to 15 more days in police custody.
The Kathmandu District Court granted permission to the Kathmandu Police to detain them further for investigation under charges of crimes against the state.
Other individuals arrested in connection with the same protest have been remanded for 20 days under organized crime and public violence charges, according to SP Apil Raj Bohora, spokesperson of the Kathmandu Police Range.
Government calls protesting teachers for dialogue
The government has called on the protesting teachers to join in talks regarding the School Education Bill 2080, which seeks to amend and unify existing laws related to school education.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has invited the Nepal Teachers Federation for discussions at the ministry on Wednesday.
In a statement released by ministry spokesperson and joint secretary Shiva Kumar Sapkota, the government has urged the federation to send representatives who reflect all protesting teachers and staff for the dialogue. The exact time of the meeting will be decided through mutual agreement.
Mayor Balen thanks RPP for cleaning up after protest
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) has thanked the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) for cleaning up after their protest rally on Tuesday.
During the protest, RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden not only urged party members to avoid littering but also remarked that they were ready for any fines the city might impose.
In response, Mayor Balen wrote on social media that the city’s intent is not to fine people but to ensure that no individual, group, or event litters public spaces.
Monarchy has no justification, says Madhav Nepal
Unified Socialist Chairman and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has said there is no justification for restoring monarchy in Nepal.
Speaking to journalists at Biratnagar Airport, Nepal dismissed any prospects of reviving the monarchy, stating, “We should be free from the daydream of bringing back a monarchy that has lost its justification.”
He said that the current federal democratic republican system was established with the consent of former King Gyanendra.
Rastriya Swatantra Party calls secretarial meeting to discuss action plan
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has scheduled a secretariat meeting at 4 pm on Wednesday to prepare its action plan for the upcoming months.
Acting president of the party, Dol Prasad Aryal, confirmed that the meeting will focus on critical issues, including the upcoming general convention, scheduled to take place my May.
Aryal also mentioned that the party’s planned ‘Jana Yatra’ will be a key topic of discussion at the meeting.
“The president has been jailed for trial, and his case is still pending. Despite this, the party’s work will continue, and the meeting will address important matters such as the general convention and the Jana Yatra,” Aryal told Khabarhub.
Sources within the party suggest that there may also be a call for a central committee meeting following the secretariat discussion to finalize future steps.
Gyanendra Shahi denies royalist involvement in Koteshwor arson, blames Maoists
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chief Whip Gyanendra Shahi has denied the involvement of royalist supporters in the arson incidents reported in Koteshwor and Jadibuti areas on March 28, claiming instead that Maoist cadres were responsible.
Speaking at an RPP demonstration held in Balkhu, Kathmandu on Tuesday, Shahi alleged that individuals posing as royalists had infiltrated the protest and set fire to a herbal company.
“Royalists did not set fire on March 28,” Shahi said. “It has been confirmed that Maoist cadres set fire to the herbal company.”
Kathmandu ranked most polluted city in the world
Kathmandu Valley topped the list of the most polluted cities in the world on Monday morning, according to real-time air quality data from Swiss firm IQAir.
The Valley recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 262 at 7:30 am, a level classified as very unhealthy and posing serious health risks to the public.
Following Kathmandu, Delhi in India ranked second with an AQI of 179, Hanoi in Vietnam third with 177, and Lahore in Pakistan fourth at 172.
NEPSE goes down 3.44 points
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) experienced fluctuations throughout the day on Tuesday, with an unexpected upward movement in the market as it closed higher than anticipated.
The market rose by 1.73 percent, reaching an index of 2,671.80 points, despite concerns over the undecided appointment of Nepal Rastra Bank’s next governor following the completion of Maha Prasad Adhikari’s term. The slight rise was a welcome relief for investors amid market speculation.
A total of 16,43,469 shares, valued at 5.3 billion 95 million 69 thousand rupees, were traded during the day. While share prices of 121 companies increased, 123 companies saw a decrease in their stock prices. No company’s stock price remained stable.
DRRMNC directs bodies concerned to swing into action to control forest fires
The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management National Council (DRRMNC) has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Forests and Environment, the provincial governments and the local levels to intensify prevention and control of forest fire in view of the increased level of air pollution due to this.
The 17th Meeting of the Council, chaired by Prime Minister and its Chair KP Sharma Oli, on Monday also reviewed the status of implementation of the West Nepal Earthquake and Monsoon-induced Disaster Post-Disaster Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Plan, 2081 BS.
The Meeting was briefed about the implementation status of this post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation plan which was approved by the 16th Meeting of the Council held on January 12, 2025. After the approval of the plan, the reconstruction work was started following the initiation of the agreement process with the beneficiaries from February 15, 2025.
Forest fires ravage 711 hectares in Palpa
Forest fires fueled by prolonged drought and lack of winter rains have devastated large amount of land across Palpa district, with 711 hectares in 36 community and government forests reduced to ashes.
According to the Division Forest Office, the fires have destroyed vegetation, including new saplings planted over the past two years, as well as mature trees.
“The fires have intensified due to dry conditions and strong winds,” said Narayan Dev Bhattarai, Chief of the Division Forest Office. “The forests have turned into virtual deserts, and settlements are now at high risk.”
Gold price drops further after 3-day decline
The price of gold continued its downward trend today, falling by an additional Rs. 400 per tola. This comes after a sharp three-day decline totaling Rs. 6,500.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers, the price of gold now stands at Rs. 173,400 per tola.
Over the past few days, gold prices had dropped by Rs. 3,900 on Friday, Rs. 1,900 on Sunday, and Rs. 700 on Monday.
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