Deadly Protests Erupt in Nepal Over Monarchy Restoration Demands

As protests for the restoration of the monarchy escalate in Nepal, two individuals were killed amid violent confrontations with security forces. Demonstrators have criticized the current government, seeking the return of the last king, Gyanendra Shah, as unrest spreads.

At least two people died and several others suffered injuries during protests in Nepal on Friday, where demonstrators clashed with law enforcement while demanding the return of the monarchy that was abolished in 2008. The protests were primarily led by supporters of Gyanendra Shah, the last king of Nepal, who are advocating for a constitutional monarchy alongside a parliamentary democracy that embraces Hindu identity.

According to Dinesh Kumar Acharya, a spokesman for the Nepali police, one of the deceased was a protester who succumbed to gunshot wounds. The other casualty was identified as a television journalist who tragically lost his life when a building caught fire amidst the chaos of the protests, where he was filming. Reports indicate nearly 30 civilians and 40 police officers were injured throughout the unrest.

In response to the increasing turmoil, the government imposed a curfew across various regions in Kathmandu and deployed military forces to help re-establish public order. The monarchist movement has intensified recently, with protesters attributing failures in combating poverty and political instability to the existing political parties, including the administration of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. The demand for monarchy restoration reflects a deep-seated discontent with the status quo in Nepal as citizens navigate economic challenges and seek stability in governance.