Student organisations staged a protest at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu on Monday against Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s controversial remarks on land encroachment made in Parliament on Sunday.

Demonstrators gathered under the slogan “let’s protect sovereignty,” accusing Shah of making “anti-national” statements.

Separately, the Nepali Congress-affiliated Tarun Dal organised a peaceful protest march at Maitighar Mandala, condemning what it called the prime minister’s irresponsible remarks.

The protests followed Shah’s statement in Parliament that Nepal had also “encroached upon Indian territory,” triggering widespread criticism from opposition parties and other groups.