News Analysis

By P.R. Pradhan

Kathmandu, March 29: The peaceful mass assembly organized by the pro-monarchy groups at Tinkune on Friday turned violent even before the start of the formal program.

Although the Home Ministry has blamed Durga Prasain for being the main commander, who provoked people to carry out violent acts and also, arrested around 51 people including RPP leaders Dhawal Shumsher Rana, Rabindra Mishra, and Swagat Nepal, on the charge of provoking the gathering carrying out violent activities, the reality seems different.

According to the visual clippings and local witnesses’ claims, first of all, when the organizers were reaching the stage and the national anthem was playing, suddenly the tear gas was fired by the police from the rooftop of the house, which was set ablaze later. After the tear gas was fired, the crowd was dispersed. Why the Police unnecessarily fired tear gas is a question.

The Home Ministry said, there were the presence of just 4000 people, which is totally wrong. And if there were only four thousand people gathered in favor of the monarchy, the Nepal Police seem incapable of controlling the crowd.

Even when local people were requested to control the fire at the house, the Police didn’t respond. Due to the negligence of the Police, a journalist lost his life.

Instead, in the name of controlling the crowd, the Police used date-expired tear gas and even bullets on the crowd, killing one youth.

The Home Ministry has stated that a probe commission will be formed, however, local observers doubt an impartial report from the government-formed commission, therefore, many observers opine that a judiciary committee should be constituted to probe the violent incident on Friday.

Furthermore, why the government allowed the United Socialist Front to organize an assembly the same day when the pro-monarchy groups had already announced the assembly date?

To conclude, there is the possibility of use of force by the Police, therefore, the concerned agencies should keep safely the CC camera footages for impartial investigation.

People's News Monitoring Service.