KATHMANDU, July 11: Police on Tuesday briefly detained 25 human rights activists associated with the Human Rights and Peace Society (Hurpes) who were staging sit-in protests near Singha Durbar against the government decision to ‘curtail democratic freedoms’.
Among those detained included the founding president of the organization Krishna Pahadi and sitting president Dr Gangadhar Adhikari. They were detained at 1 pm immediately after starting their sit-in. Others arrested include the advisor to the organization Hemakant Chaulagain, founding member Krishna Kandel, vice-president Renuka Paudel, secretary Bal Bahadur Gaha Magar, treasurer Batu Krishna Dhungel and general secretary Uttam Pudasaini. All of them were released after around an hour and a half, according to Nepal Police.
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The protesters had displayed placards that read ‘Rescind the decisions undermining the freedom of people’, ‘Stop autocratic activities’, ‘End the mafiadom in education and health sectors’, ‘Protect the lives of justice seekers’ and ‘Stop protecting criminals’.
Hurpes in a statement said the present communist-led government has taken decisions undermining the fundamental rights and human rights of the people and has created an environment where criminals are set free and justice-seekers are neglected.
