KATHMANDU: The District Administration Office (DAO) Kathmandu has banned protest demonstrations, sit-ins, processions, and public assemblies at various locations across the capital for the next two months.
An order issued on Friday by Chief District Officer Ishwar Raj Paudel states that gatherings of more than five people are prohibited. The decision cites concerns that such assemblies could lead to unruly and undesirable activities, including vandalism and arson, as well as the potential for clashes, confrontations, mob violence, and public unrest.
This restriction has been enforced under Sub-section 3(a) of Section 6 of the Local Administration Act, 2028. According to the order, the prohibition applies to activities such as hunger strikes, sit-ins, picketing, rallies, demonstrations, and other forms of public assembly in several sensitive areas of Kathmandu, including the President’s Office at Shital Niwas.
The ban applies to the area up to the crossroad in front of the National Police Academy, up to 100 meters south from the turning leading to Samakhusi, and from the same turning up to the Samakhusi stream towards the southwest.
It also includes the area around the Green House (Office of the Vice President), as well as the Lainchaur area from Keshar Mahal Chowk to the Malla Hotel via the Lainchaur turning.
The area around the Narayanhiti Palace Museum, from Keshar Mahal Chowk to the museum’s south gate via the Jaya Nepal turning and extending up to the Mahendra Statue, has also been designated a no-protest zone.
Furthermore, restrictions are in place from the eastern corner of the triangular island east of Bhadrakali Temple extending to the Singha Durbar Main Gate, from the main gate northwards to the Padmodaya turning, and from there eastward to the northeastern corner of Singha Durbar, passing in front of the Office of the Auditor General toward Anamnagar.
The northeastern turning of Singha Durbar up to the Hanuman Temple via the eastern gate is also off-limits, as is the stretch from the Singha Durbar Main Gate to the Department of Archives crossroad via the Supreme Court, and from the crossroad to Hanumansthan Temple via the southern gate of Singha Durbar.
Additional prohibited areas include the road from the eastern turning of the District Court up to the turning north of the District Administration Office.
The ban also covers the vicinity of the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, the residences of the National Assembly Chairman and the Chief Justice, and a 100-meter area along the road eastward from the Rastra Bank crossroad.
The District Administration stated that these measures aim to preserve public order and prevent disturbances in sensitive government areas during the restriction period.
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