Five people were detained during two separate demonstrations, organized by royalists and the CPN-UML, in Kathmandu on Thursday.
The UML organized a procession to mark Republic Day on Thursday morning. The procession started from Bhrikuti Mandap at 11 a.m. and went around Tundikhel. In the afternoon, the "Joint People's Movement Committee" held a demonstration at Ratna Park until 5 p.m.
Police detained five individuals on the charge of infiltrating the events. Pro-monarchy demonstrators themselves apprehended three individuals, accusing them of attempting to infiltrate the event, and handed them over to police.
Among the five individuals, two were detained in front of the Nepal Electricity Authority office near Old Bus Park, one at Shanti Batika, and two others at Bhotahiti.
Superintendent of Police Apil Raj Bohara of the District Police Range, Kathmandu, said that all five detainees have been released.
The committee, led by Nawaraj Subedi, launched a “People’s Movement” in Kathmandu on Thursday.
The movement is supported by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), RPP Nepal, and other pro-monarchy parties and groups.
Committee coordinator Subedi, RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden, RPP Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa, and other leaders participated in the demonstration.
They launched the movement on Thursday with agendas including the restoration of monarchy, reinstatement of a Hindu nation, and abolition of federalism.
Monarchy supporters who had arrived at Ratna Park with processions from various places of Kathmandu took part in the demonstration.
The “Save Nation, Nationality, Religion, Culture, and Citizens Mega Campaign Nepal”, led by Durga Prasai, has said that it will not support the movement.
Issuing a statement on Wednesday, the campaign’s secretary Premdeep Limbu said that they will not participate in the movement led by the RPP.
(This story has been updated.)
