Kathmandu
In a clash near Singha Durbar, Nepal’s administrative capital, on Saturday, at least six individuals, including two police personnel, were injured. The conflict erupted when members of the National Liberation Movement, led by Madesh-based leader Rajendra Mahato, organized a march in Kathmandu, demanding recognition of states based on ethnicity. The situation turned violent when participants forcibly removed a barricade set up by the police to restrict access to the area. Subsequently, demonstrators threw stones at the police, intensifying the confrontation.
As a result of the clash, six people sustained injuries, including two police officers, with one officer reported to be in critical condition. Superintendent of Police Nawaraj Adhikari from District Police Circle, Kathmandu, confirmed the injuries and stated that four individuals had been arrested for inciting violence.
Police intervened by using a water cannon to disperse the demonstrators, who had initially planned to hold a mass gathering at an open ground used for protests in the past. However, the demonstration shifted towards the administrative capital, which has been a restricted area since the previous year.
Despite the clash, Rajendra Mahato, former Deputy PM of Nepal and leader of the protest, remained unharmed and was escorted from the site promptly after the altercation began. Mahato recently announced his departure from the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP) and launched a new campaign titled “Rastriya Mukti Kranti” (National Liberation Movement).
