Kathmandu: The streets of Kathmandu descended into chaos on Friday as pro-monarchy protests escalated into violent clashes with security forces, leaving at least two dead and dozens injured. The unrest, marked by arson, looting, and confrontations, has reignited tensions in Nepal’s capital over the demand to restore the monarchy, abolished in 2008. Among the casualties are a journalist burned alive in a building set ablaze by protesters and a young demonstrator fatally shot by security forces, underscoring the volatile intersection of political dissent and public safety.
The protests, largely driven by pro-monarchy groups including supporters of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), erupted in the Tinkune, Koteshwor, and Sinamangal areas near Tribhuvan International Airport. Demonstrators, waving national flags and chanting slogans such as “Raja aau desh bachau” (“May the King come to save the country”), demanded the reinstatement of former King Gyanendra Shah and Nepal’s status as a Hindu kingdom. The movement has gained momentum since Gyanendra’s public appeal for support on Democracy Day, February 19, reflecting growing frustration with the secular, federal republic established 17 years ago.
What began as a rally quickly spiraled out of control. Protesters torched vehicles, looted shops, and vandalized media offices and political headquarters, including that of the CPN (Unified Socialist) party. In a particularly harrowing incident in Tinkune, a private building was set ablaze by royalist agitators. Suresh Rajak, a cameraman for Avenues Television, was trapped inside while covering the unrest. Despite efforts to escape, Rajak succumbed to the flames, marking a grim loss for Nepal’s journalism community. Eyewitnesses reported thick smoke and panicked screams as the fire engulfed the structure, with rescue attempts thwarted by the intensity of the blaze.
Simultaneously, clashes between protesters and security forces turned deadly. Nepal Police, backed by riot units and later the army, deployed tear gas, water cannons, and warning shots to disperse the crowds attempting to breach restricted zones near the parliament building. In one such confrontation, a young protester was fatally shot by security forces. Police spokesman Dinesh Kumar Acharya confirmed the death, stating that the use of force was necessary to prevent protesters from entering a banned area. The identity of the youth remains undisclosed, but the incident has fueled outrage among royalist supporters, who accuse the government of excessive brutality.
Curfew in Kathmandu
In response to the escalating violence, the Kathmandu district administration imposed a curfew in the affected areas, effective until 10 PM, with the possibility of extension depending on the situation. Ashok Kumar Bhandari, a district administration spokesman, described the measure as a short-term effort to restore order. Nepal Police intensified security across the valley, deploying additional personnel and mobilizing army units to enforce the curfew and prevent further unrest. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli convened an emergency cabinet meeting to address the crisis, while Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak held discussions with security officials to strategize containment.
The violence was not limited to pro-monarchy actions. A separate anti-monarchy rally unfolded peacefully elsewhere in the city, with authorities designating specific zones—Exhibition Road-Bhrikutimandap for republicans and another for royalists—to keep the groups apart. However, the pro-monarchy faction’s aggression overshadowed the day, drawing widespread condemnation.
The death of Suresh Rajak has sent shockwaves through Nepal’s media landscape. Rajak, on duty capturing footage of the demonstrations, became a victim of the very unrest he was documenting. Posts on X from journalists and observers described the incident as “unacceptable” and a “heinous crime,” with calls to “#ArrestAnarchists” gaining traction. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) is expected to issue a formal statement, likely demanding accountability and enhanced protections for media workers amid such volatile events. Rajak’s death adds to a troubling history of risks faced by journalists in Nepal, recalling past incidents like the 2004 murder of Dekendra Thapa during the Maoist insurgency.
Nepal, one of the world’s poorest nations, has struggled with political instability since the monarchy’s abolition, cycling through 14 governments in 16 years. Economic stagnation, reliance on aid and tourism, and the exodus of youth to foreign job markets have deepened public disillusionment with successive administrations. The pro-monarchy movement taps into this frustration, portraying the royal past as a symbol of stability and national identity, despite Gyanendra’s controversial rule ending in 2008 after a decade-long civil war that claimed 17,000 lives.
Critics argue that the government’s rigid response—deploying lethal force and curfews—risks further alienating citizens and bolstering royalist narratives. Human rights groups have condemned the use of live ammunition, echoing concerns from past protests where security forces faced similar accusations of excess.
As Kathmandu reels from Monday’s unrest, questions loom over Nepal’s political future. The deaths of Rajak and the young protester, who succumbed to a police gunshot during the Kathmandu unrest today was Sabin Maharjan from Kirtipur, Nepal. Reports from multiple sources, including posts on X, confirm that Sabin Maharjan, a 29-year-old resident of Kirtipur Municipality-4, died after being injured by a bullet during violent pro-monarchy protests in the Tinkune area. The Ministry of Home Affairs verified his identity and death, noting he was pronounced dead upon arrival at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
Authorities face the dual challenge of restoring calm and addressing the underlying grievances fueling such demonstrations. Meanwhile, the loss of a journalist in the line of duty serves as a stark reminder of the human cost borne by those who chronicle these turbulent times.
For now, the capital remains on edge, its streets scarred by fire and blood, as Nepal grapples with a past that refuses to stay buried and a present teetering on the brink.
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