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Government’s intolerance against dissent continues: Supporters of Kathmandu mayor detained, barred from Indra Jatra venue

This is not the first time the government authority demonstrated intolerance against the supporters of Balen Shah. Three youths, who chanted slogans in favor of Balen Shah, were arrested on August 26.

Youth wearing t-shirts with the photo of Kathmandu mayor. Photo: Screenshot image of YouTube video.

Kathmandu: The Nepali Congress-CPN-UML government led by Prime Minster KP Sharma Oli is turning hostile against those who criticize the government, especially against supporters of the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Balen Shah, two most recent incidents prove.

On Tuesday, police took under control the youths who were supporters of Mayor Shah from Basantapur Durbar Square. Their fault: They were wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the name and picture of Balen Shah and tried to participate in the Indra Jatra festival, which takes place every September/October in Basantapur.  Balen is particularly popular among the country’s youths.

Police took them under control and barred them from entering the venue citing that they had conflicts with the locals.  But the real reason, it is widely known, is the suspicion that they could shout slogans in favor of Balen Shah and against PM Oli who graced the festival as a chief guest as per the tradition.  Fourteen youths were detained by police. They were later released.

Photo courtesy: RSS

This, however, is not the first time the government authority demonstrated intolerance against the supporters of Balen Shah.

On August 26, police arrested three youths from Kathmandu. During the Gaura festival celebration in Tundikhel, a few youths chanted slogans against Prime Minister Oli, and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and in favor of Balen Shah.

The next day, Nepal Police, identifying them through videos circulated on social media platforms, arrested, interrogated, and kept them in custody. On August 28, the Kathmandu District Administration Office ordered the police to keep them in police custody and investigate for offenses breaching social harmony. Later, they were released on bail.

PM Oli appears to be spewing vitriol against Kathmandu Mayor.  On Saturday, while calling Balen Shah a manpari bolne keto, meaning the boy that speaks foul language, he directed his followers and cadres to rise to retaliate against the mayor.

[Also read: Congress-UML government’s authoritarian streak]