KATHMANDU, Nov 23: The streets in most parts of Kathmandu remained deserted, yet tense on Thursday due to separate protests organized by the CPN-UML-affiliated Yuva Sangh and medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai-led group.
The Prasai-led group advocated the abolition of the current republican system, while the Yuwa Sangh called for the current government's resignation, maintaining support for the existing republican framework.
In anticipation of potential clashes between these two groups with completely different demands, the local administration had designated separate places for demonstration to the Yuva Sangh and Prasai-led group following their announcement earlier to hold their demonstration at Maitighar on the same day. Thanks to this precautionary measure, major clashes were averted, with only sporadic incidents reported in Balkhu.
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Throughout Thursday, both Balkhu and Tinkune remained bustling with protest activities. Despite Prasai organizing a peaceful public protest under the banner of the ‘Nation, Nationality, Religion, Culture and Civil Protection Campaign’, clashes between police and protesters occurred frequently in Balkhu. Initially calm, the atmosphere turned chaotic when Prasai delivered an aggressive speech, leading to clashes as protesters attempted to breach the police cordon.
During his address, Prasai declared the planting of seeds of rebellion in Nepal and advocated targeting leaders wherever they were found, even occupying areas from Singha Durbar to the Parliament. In the afternoon, a clash erupted as protesters attempted to move towards Kalimati from Balkhu, threatening to besiege Singh Darbar. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, intensifying tensions in the Balkhu area.
Contrastingly, the demonstration organized by Yuva Sangh and UML's students’ wing remained peaceful. UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli had previously appealed for a peaceful protest. At the Tinkune demonstration, UML leader and Yuva Sangh Coordinator Mahesh Basnet declared Durga Prasai as anti-republican and stated that the movement against him had begun.
Basnet cautioned that if Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is not resolute, the CPN-UML would remove him from the Prime Minister's chair . Basnet outlined UML's extended program across all seven provinces, challenging the formation of a government under UML leadership and asserting UML's historical role in resisting attacks on the Republic.
On the other hand, Prasai's group announced the continuation of the demonstration on Friday, leaving observers curious about the strategy they will adopt after a tense day in Balkhu on Thursday. The group has announced to continue its protest in Tinkune on Friday.
