Riot police used batons and tear gas to stop tens of thousands of supporters of Nepal’s former king who tried to march into the center of the capital on Thursday to demand the restoration of the monarchy and the former country’s status as a Hindu nation.
Demonstrators, waving national flags and chanting slogans in support of former King Gyanendra, gathered on the outskirts of Kathmandu and tried to move towards the city centre.
Riot police blocked them, beating them with bamboo batons and firing tear gas and water cannons.
A policeman fires tear gas at protesters during a rally demanding the restoration of the Nepalese monarchy in Kathmandu, Nepal on November 23, 2023. AP
There were minor injuries on both sides.
Authorities had banned protests in key areas of the city ahead of the rally.
“We love our king and country more than our lives. Bring back the monarchy. Abolish the republic,” chanted the crowd.
An injured girl was taken to hospital after clashes between members of the Nepal Police and pro-monarchy supporters during a demonstration against the system of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal in Balkhu. ZUMAPRESS.com
Supporters of the former king came to Kathmandu from all over the country to demand the return of the monarchy that was abolished in 2008.
They accused the government and political parties of corruption and failed governance.
Weeks of street protests in 2006 forced then-King Gyanendra to abandon his authoritarian rule and introduce democracy.
A riot policeman is hit on his helmet while fighting with Pro-monarchy protesters as they protest demanding the restoration of Nepal’s monarchy in Nepal November 23, 2023. REUTERS
Two years later, the newly elected parliament voted to abolish the monarchy and declare Nepal a republic with the president as head of state.
From then on, Gyanendra lived as a private citizen without the power or protection of the state.
He still has some support among the people but the chances of returning to power are slim.
Protesters waved national flags and chanted slogans in support of former King Gyanendra, who now lives as a private citizen without state authority or protection. EPA
Protesters also demanded that Nepal be returned to a Hindu state.
The Himalayan nation was declared a secular state in 2007 by an interim constitution.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
