Pro-royalty protest turns violent in Nepal
KATHMANDU, Nepal — Riot police in Nepal clashed for hours Monday with thousands of protesters demanding a return of the monarchy that was abolished more than a decade ago and the reinstatement of a Hindu state.
Police blocked the main road to the prime minister’s office, using batons to beat the protesters, who responded by throwing rocks and sticks. There were no reports of serious injuries.
It was the latest in a series of protests against Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli’s government by a variety of groups, including a faction of his governing Communist party.
The unrest, fueled by Oli’s failure to honor an agreement to split his term as prime minister with the co-leader of the governing party, has increased distrust of the political system.
The protesters Monday accused the government of corruption and using force against peaceful rallies.
“King, please come back and save our country. We want the monarchy back, abolish the republic,” the demonstrators chanted as they waved the country’s flag.
Weeks of street protests in 2006 forced then-King Gyanendra to abandon his authoritarian rule and introduce democracy. Two years later, a newly elected parliament voted to abolish the monarchy and declared Nepal a republic with a president as head of state.
Monday’s protesters also demanded that Nepal again be declared a Hindu state. Most Nepalis are Hindu, but soon after the king’s rule ended, parliament also decided to turn the country into a secular state.