No Role Whatsoever in March 28 Tinkune Mayhem: Durga Prasain

Durga Prasain, the self-styled commander of the March 28 protest of royalist forces rooting for a Sanatan Hindu state, constitutional monarchy and abrogation of federalism, has told police that teargas firing and shooting of bullets had already taken place at the podium in Tinkune on March 28, triggering a stampede of sorts before his arrival at the venue.

In his statement given to police in the presence of government attorney, Prasain said: I had no role whatsoever as teargassing and firing of bullets had already started on the stage itself. 

According to Prasain, all this had taken place after the guests took their seats and the national anthem started, triggering dispersal of people due to firing. I had not even arrived at the program venue, so I had no role whatsoever in the program venue. 

The situation on the ground meant there was no possibility of me joining in, Prasain said: As planned earlier, the program was conducted under the Navaraj Suvedi-led committee.

Prasain said he had conducted no activity that infringed upon the Constitution, adding that he had met the former King, Gyanendra Shah, several times during the past five years through the latter’s private secretary, including a day before the protest.