March 28 Protest: Court Moved Against 61 People, including Rabindra Mishra, Durga Prasain

The government attorney’s office has moved the Kathmandu district court against 61 people in connection with the March 28 protest of royalist forces in which two people died, several sustained injuries in the midst of spiraling violence marked by arson, looting, vandalism and use of police force to control the situation. The move is based on an investigation report from the Kathmandu district police complex.  

Of the accused, 50 face charges of committing offenses against the state whereas the remaining 11 faces charges of criminal vandalism.
Eight people—Durga Prasain, the ‘commander’ of the protest, Harihari Chaulagain, Saroj Gautam alias Tara Rajabadi, Satish Neupane, Gokarna Shahi, Dandapani Regmi, Santosh Kumar Silwal and Hemraj Tharu—face charges of attempted murder, sedition, criminal vandalism, organized crime and assorted offenses

Furthermore, Rabindra Mishra, senior vice-president of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) who spent 50 days behind bars on the charge of inciting violence during the protest before his release following a Supreme Court order in response to a habeas corpus petition, faces charges of sedition, criminal vandalism, organized crime and assorted offenses along with Dhawal Shumsher Rana, a lawmaker and RPP general secretary. 

After the March 28 violent protest, the campaign of royalist forces for the restoration of a Sanatan Hindu state along with constitutional monarchy appears to have fizzled out, notwithstanding sporadic programs. Nonetheless, forces supporting the cause have announced a fresh protest coinciding with the Republic Day (May 29). 

Meanwhile, police have said they have upped preparations to ensure that things do not go out of control during the protest.   

Also, Prime Minister and CPN-UML chief KP Sharma Oli has instructed party cadres to counter any interference during the party’s planned demonstrations as part of Republic Day celebrations.

In his signature style, Oli criticized the royalist movement, saying it is not driven by any noble cause but by self-interest. He accused the royalists of taking advantage of the government’s silence and the public’s self-restraint.