The Nepal government has called for an investigation into the deadly pro-monarchy protests that killed two people and injured more than 110 people. At least 77 security personnel were also wounded in the violence.
Police said they had to use force to prevent the protesters who threw stones at them from marching towards the parliament building in Kathmandu.
🇳🇵Curfew imposed in Kathmandu
— ConflictX (@ConflictXtweets) March 29, 2025
after yesterday protests
Protests erupted in Kathmandu as pro-monarchy activists demanding the return of the monarchy and Hindu kingdom status battled with security forces.#Nepal pic.twitter.com/hD0CA3Iefh
The protesters demanded restoration of Nepal's 239-year-old monarchy that was abolished in 2008. The last king of Nepal, Gyanendra Shah, is now a commoner.Â
However, on March 9, Gyanendra, 77, was greeted by a 10,000-strong crowd at the Tribhuvan International Airport, calling for reinstatement of monarchy. They were heard chanting 'Long live our beloved king' and 'we want monarchy'.
Violence led to the death of at least two people, including a journalist, in Nepal, as riot police tried to break up a rally by thousands of protesters demanding the restoration of constitutional monarchy https://t.co/Rz1aXszw24 pic.twitter.com/1gnsgHIlfz
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 28, 2025
Former Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal alleged that Gyanendra incited violence that killed two people on Friday. He demanded that the government should limit the freedom given to the former ruler.
Claiming it is clear who is behind the violence, Dahal said Gyanendra's intent is culpable. "Now is the time that government take a strict action... Gyanendra Shah now cannot be spared or given absolute freedom," the former PM said.
Kathmandu | On the violence that erupted after a clash between pro-monarchists and Police yesterday, former PM of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' says, "It has become crystal clear that Gyanendra Shah (the last reigning King of Nepal) is behind all these acts. Gyanendra… pic.twitter.com/cgpDNzSD9f
— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2025
Police have arrested 105 protesters and their leaders, including Shepherd Limbu, Santosh Tamang and Swagat Nepal. Rashtriya Prajatantra Party senior vice-chairman Rabindra Mishra and General Secretary Dhawal Sumsher Rana were also arrested.
Gyanendra became king in 2001 after his brother, Birendra Bir Bikram Shah and family were killed in a mass murder. Though Gyanendra was initially a constitutional head without any actual powers, in 2005, the king assumed absoluted power. However, violent protests forced the monarch to hand over power to a multi-party administration in 2006. Two years later, the Parliment abolished monarchy and Gyanendra was forced to step down.
