National
Home ministry warns RPP against protests in restricted zones
Says legal action will be taken against unlawful activities or incitement to unrest.
Post Report
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday warned the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) against its planned protests in restricted areas of Kathmandu, saying legal action would be taken against those violating the law or inciting public disorder.
The ministry said it was concerned over news reports and the party’s statement suggesting that the RPP plans to break through restricted zones as part of its protest programme on Sunday.
In a statement, the ministry said any activity that encourages the violation of the constitution or existing laws or spreads anarchy in society would not be tolerated. It urged all individuals to refrain from ‘anarchic, provocative, or illegal acts’ that could incite violence.
The RPP’s Central Executive Committee, in a meeting held on Thursday, decided to stage protests in the restricted zones to demand the release of party leaders and cadres who were arrested during a demonstration on March 28.
The government has designated areas surrounding the federal parliament building at New Baneshwar, among various other places in Kathmandu, as restricted zones. The RPP has not only planned to stage a show of strength at Bijulibazar, near the parliament building, but has also announced to breach the restriction at Baneshwar.
The party has been organising a series of protests demanding the release of those arrested in connection with the Tinkune incident, including the party’s Vice-chair Rabindra Mishra and General Secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana.
The party, which has been demanding the reinstatement of a constitutional monarchy and the establishment of Nepal as a Hindu state, staged a protest assembly at Balkhu as designated by the government on April 8.