Police, protesters clash in Nepalese capital
Police in Nepal have used tear gas and water cannon against thousands of demonstrators protesting against a new national constitution in the capital, Kathmandu.
Opposition supporters packed the narrow streets of Kathmandu on Saturday and briefly clashed with security forces, throwing bricks and stones. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons.
“We estimate that around 35,000 people are participating in today’s rally,” said Dinesh Acharya, a Kathmandu police spokesman.
According to Kathmandu’s Civil Service Hospital officials, 24 demonstrators who suffered “minor injuries” have been admitted to the medical center.
Four officers were also wounded in the clashes, Acharya said.
Flag-waving opposition supporters riding on motorcycles and travelling on foot shouted slogans demanding a charter based on consensus.
The Nepalese government last month sought to push a vote instead of seeking agreement on the disputed terms of the constitution, which led to objections in the parliament from the opposition led by former Maoist rebels.
The new constitution was proposed in a bid to conclude the peace process in the South Asian country, which started in 2006.
Police forces also clashed with protesters trying to enter a restricted area near the parliament building in the capital.
Addressing a cheering crowd of supporters gathered in central Kathmandu, the leader of the former Maoist rebels Pushpa Kamal Dahal said, “Today’s demonstration clearly shows how powerful we are.”
“Our strength should not be underestimated, otherwise the ruling parties should be prepared to face the upcoming challenge,” he said threatening the government with more protests and asking to stop its plans for the vote on the constitution.
No date has been set for the voting yet.
Nine years after the Maoist rebels entered politics, ending an insurgency that claimed about 16,000 lives, the peace process has failed to bear fruit. The continuous struggle for power between the ruling party and the opposition has ruined efforts to strike a deal.
MAK/HJL/SS
Tarique Rahman sworn in as Bangladesh’s new prime minister
Bangladesh poll result reflects public rejection of governance failures, not party loyalties: Analys
Bangladesh Nationalist Party secures victory in general election
Completion of corridor projects to open new chapter in Iran-Russia ties: Pezeshkian
VIDEO | Iran diplomacy from strength
Iran’s foreign minister, IAEA chief discuss framework for potential Iran-US deal
Pakistani PM to seek clarity on troops for Gaza in US visit, sources say
Explainer: How the latest Iran-US Geneva talks unfolded and what’s next for nuclear diplomacy
Indian PM Modi’s visit to Israeli Knesset faces opposition boycott
Israeli sniper in Chile could face criminal case over war crimes in Gaza
Young Iranian robotics specialists shine at IWISE Global Final 2026
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
