KATHMANDU, June 1: Pro-monarchist groups demanding the restoration of the monarchy have announced a shutdown of the Kathmandu Valley on Monday, alleging state repression during their protest in the capital on Sunday.
Nawaraj Subedi, coordinator of the Joint People's Movement Committee, issued a statement on Sunday evening declaring the bandh. The committee said it was compelled to escalate its movement after what it described as a brutal crackdown by the government on their peaceful demonstration.
"In protest against the government’s brutal suppression, we are compelled to alter the form of our movement. Accordingly, we are declaring a Valley-wide shutdown for Monday," the statement reads.
During Sunday’s demonstration in Kathmandu, police detained several protestors, including Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-Nepal) Chair Kamal Thapa and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) lawmaker Deepak Singh, along with dozens of others.
The royalist group accused the police of using excessive force, particularly condemning the "inhumane" arrest of Thapa. “We strongly condemn the inhumane manner in which RPP-Nepal Chair Kamal Thapa was arrested during a peaceful protest,” the statement said.
The committee has also called on supporters to actively participate in the shutdown by gathering in their respective neighbourhoods and local intersections to express solidarity with the movement.