With pro-republican and pro-monarchy groups set to demonstrate their strength in Kathmandu on Friday, March 28, security measures have been intensified across key locations in the Valley.
Authorities have imposed traffic restrictions in the Ratna Park area, diverting vehicles to alternative routes, affecting daily commutes since early morning. Vehicular movement has also been halted along the Durbar Marg-Bhadrakali route.
The demonstrations, set to begin in the afternoon, are expected to exacerbate traffic congestion in the Valley, which typically peaks before and after office hours.
Supporters of the federal democratic republican system, led by the Socialist Front, are staging demonstrations at Pradarshani Marg, while proponents of the Hindu Kingdom are gathering at Tinkune.
The Socialist Front comprises the CPN (Maoist Centre), CPN (Unified Socialist), and the Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplab’-led Nepal Communist Party, among others. On the opposing side, royalists have designated Durga Prasai , Executive Director of Jhapa-based B & C Medical College—who has been embroiled in multiple controversies in recent years—as their ‘Commander’ for Friday’s rally.
On Thursday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) urged both factions to ensure their protests remain peaceful.
The situation in Ratna Park area on Friday morning is captured in these images taken by our photojournalist Sunil Sharma.
