The District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu, has lifted the curfew order in Tinkune and its surrounding areas, which was effective from 4:25 PM Friday until 7 AM Saturday.
The curfew was imposed under Section 6(A) of the Local Administration Act, 2028 BS, following violent clashes and acts of arson, vandalism and looting during pro-monarchy protests that left two people dead and approximately three dozen injured.
Read: Deaths, Arson, Vandalism and Looting
Areas from Gaushala to the Airport, Gauridhara, Tinkune to Koteshwar, Koteshwar to Jadibuti Bridge, Koteshwar to Balkumari Bridge, Baneshwar to Shankhamul Bridge, and Gaushala Chowk to Naya Baneshwar Chowk via Purano Baneshwor were put under curfew. The order has now been revoked, confirmed Kathmandu’s Chief District Officer (CDO), Rishiram Tiwari, according to state-owned news agency Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS).
Authorities have arrested over four dozen pro-monarchy protesters and leaders for allegedly inciting violence during Friday’s demonstrations.
Among the detainees are Rabindra Mishra, Senior Vice-Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and its General Secretary, Dhawal Sumsher Rana.
Additionally, Nawaraj Subedi, the chief coordinator of the Royalist movement, has reportedly been placed under house arrest. Meanwhile, security forces are actively searching for Durga Prasai, the ‘Commander’ of Friday’s demonstrations.
Among the deceased was Sabin Maharjan of Kirtipur, as confirmed by Chhabi Rijal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Maharjan, a protester, suffered severe injuries during the clashes and succumbed while receiving treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), according to RSS.
Similarly, Suresh Rajak, a cameraman for Avenues Television, also lost his life when protesters set fire to a building in Tinkune. Rajak, who had been filming the demonstration from the rooftop, was trapped by the flames and could not escape, resulting in his tragic death. Protesters claimed security forces had used the building to launch tear gas against them.
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday evening reported that at least 23 demonstrators, nine Armed Police Force (APF) personnel, and nine Nepal Police officers sustained injuries during the unrest.
Widely circulated visuals on social media captured the extent of the destruction, including arson, vandalism, and looting. Protesters torched several properties, including the party office of the CPN (Unified Socialist) and the Herbs Production and Processing Company Ltd. building in Jadibuti. Numerous vehicles were also set ablaze.
Media offices were among the targets of the violence. Videos surfaced showing breakdown of law and order in the capital as people, reportedly demonstrators, were seen looting goods from Bhatbhateni Supermarket in Koteshwar.
This news has been updated.
