KATHMANDU: Tension erupted at Simra Airport on Wednesday as UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Politburo member Mahesh Basnet tried to travel to Bara for a party program.
A group, claiming to represent the Gen-Z movement, staged a protest and caused disruption at the airport after learning about the UML leaders’ visit. The demonstration led to a clash between the protesters and the police deployed at the airport.
The disturbance forced a Buddha Air flight scheduled to depart from Kathmandu to be stopped. Passengers, including Rajak Kuinkel, were asked to leave the plane and wait in the lounge. “We were told that there was a protest at Simra Airport. After that, we were asked to get off the plane and are now being directed to the Buddha Air counter,” he said.
Basnet and Pokharel were on their way to participate in a provincial-level Youth Awakening Campaign program in Bara. Upon hearing about their arrival, the Gen-Z group had mobilized at Simra Airport and also announced a protest on social media, which threatened to affect the UML program.
Security at the airport was tightened following the protest, with a large contingent of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force deployed to maintain order.
Several UML leaders, including former minister Kisan Shrestha, Jwalakumari Sah, and Achyut Mainali, were present at the arrival hall to welcome Basnet and other leaders
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