Protest ban on Maitighar Mandala to be strictly implemented from July 15

KATHMANDU, June 28: Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa has said that the government will implement the decision to prohibit protest at Maitighar Mandala, Bhadrakali and Baneshwor from July 15.

At a press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs, the home minister also asked one and all not to resist the government’s decision on protest prohibition on certain places arguing that the government is doing this for ensuring safety and security.

The Kathmandu District Administration Office, earlier in April, had decided to ban demonstrations in the areas while fixing seven other open spaces for staging protest and demonstration programs.

But Dr Govinda KC, senior orthopedic surgeon at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, had protested the KDAO’s decision forcing the government to back track and not implement the decision till next notice.

“Protest and demonstration programs at Maitighar Mandala will obstruct vehicular movement in the city. It can become a responsible factor for road accidents. Therefore, we, now, are implementing the decision from next month,” said minister Thapa.

“There are other open places. We can use them for staging protest programs,” he added.
Minister Thapa, on the occasion, also announced a number of open places in Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts to stage demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Dr KC has warned the government to start protest if the decision is not withdrawn.
Bibeksheel Sajha Party has also slammed the government’s decision as totalitarian and violation of citizen’s right to protest.