There have been demonstrations across the country against the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Peaceful demonstrations have been held in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Dharan, Birgunj and other parts of the country on Thursday.
The police used tear gas shells and water cannons on those protesting in Baluwatar near the prime minister's official residence.
"This is an absolutely nonpolitical and peaceful demonstration by the citizens," Alok Subedi, who demonstrated in Baluwatar, told Setopati. "Youths across the country are networking through Facebook and demonstrating in different cities."
He pointed that the citizens have been forced to protest in lack of effective government steps to address their seemingly simple demands. "COVID-19 tests should wholly be done through PCR. Why are people being tested through rapid diagnostic tests and the lawmakers who they voted for given PCR tests?" he asked. "People should not be discriminated against."
He claimed that the Facebook page started spontaneously against the government apathy has already attracted 88,000 persons.
The demonstrators are pointing at the ill-managed quarantine facilities put up for those returning from India and asking what the government has spent Rs 10 billion on.
They have been irked by the response of Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli who told the House on Wednesday this is not the time to ask for details of expenses and made unsubstantiated claims that Nepalis have better immunity due to the country's topography and eating habits. The placards across the country have made fun of those unsubstantiated claims by PM Oli.
The Cabinet meeting Wednesday night decided to relax lockdown in three stages on recommendation of the COVID-19 Crisis Management Center (CCMC) but the government has yet to take a final decision about how to implement that.
