KATHMANDU, March 29: Security measures in Kathmandu Valley have been strengthened following a violent protest by supporters of the former king in Tinkune, Kathmandu, on Friday.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for Durga Prasai, a key figure in the demonstration. Prasai, who leads the "National, Nationality, Religion, Culture, and Citizen Protection Campaign," remains on the police's wanted list. Despite this, he has continued to call for further protests through his verified Facebook page, posting, "Whether I am present or not, the movement must continue." His statement, uploaded on Friday at 3:18 PM, is under police investigation.
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), a political party advocating for the reinstatement of the monarchy and a Hindu state, has also announced additional protests in Kathmandu on April 8 and April 20.
Anticipating further unrest, Nepal Police headquarters has deployed additional forces from outside the Kathmandu Valley. Senior police officials said that officers from various units in Bagmati Province have been called into Kathmandu under a newly implemented security strategy.
Navaraj Subedi, coordinator of the "United People's Movement for the Restoration of Monarchy," which led Friday's demonstrations, has been placed under house arrest.
Meanwhile, senior RPP figures, including Rabindra Mishra, General Secretary Dhawal SJB Rana, Swagat Nepal, and Santosh Tamang, have been detained. Religious leader Pushkar Khatiwada, Royal Task Force (RTF) commander Munindra Rajbhandari, Pashupati Khadka, and Santosh Rajabadi have also been taken into custody.
The violent protests on Friday resulted in the deaths of Sabin Maharjan, a resident of Kirtipur Municipality-4, and journalist Suresh Rajak. Several others sustained injuries during the clashes.
Meanwhile, the entire Armed Police Force (APF) team assigned to former King Gyanendra Shah was replaced on Saturday.
The government reshuffled the APF team responsible for the security of former King Shah following the Tinkune violence on Friday. According to APF sources, the previous team led by APF DSP Jagadish Hamal has been withdrawn, and a new security unit under the command of DSP Pramod Prakash Pathak has been deployed.
In accordance with security protocols for former VIPs, a 16-member team has been assigned this time, replacing the previous team, which reportedly had more than 16 personnel.
The change comes in the wake of a violent pro-monarchy rally in Kathmandu's Tinkune on Friday, after which mainstream political parties and other individuals have called for action against Shah.