KATHMANDU: Following Friday’s violent pro-monarchy protest, several leaders have been arrested, while others have been placed under house arrest.
The police intensified their crackdown after the protest led to two deaths, causing a chaotic dispersal of demonstrators.
Nabaraj Subedi, the coordinator of the Joint People’s Movement Committee for Monarchy Restoration, has been placed under house arrest, with police surrounding his residence.
With no access to mobile phones or other communication devices, Subedi has appointed Jagman Gurung as the new acting coordinator of the movement.
The protests, which were halted after turning violent on Friday, are now set to resume under Gurung’s leadership.
Durga Prasai, the protest’s so-called ‘people’s commander,’ remains in hiding after allegedly inciting the crowd and fleeing the scene.
He has claimed to still be in Kathmandu despite evading authorities after breaking into a restricted area and escaping in a seized vehicle.
The government has concluded that Prasai was the main architect behind the Tinkune incident.
Meanwhile, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) senior vice-chair Rabindra Mishra and general secretary Dhawal Shamsher Rana remain in police custody, with their detention set to be extended on Sunday.
However, authorities have not yet clarified the specific charges against them.
With Subedi under house arrest, he has urged all political parties and organizations to support the continued monarchy restoration movement under Gurung’s leadership.
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