Author: space4knews

March 27, Kathmandu – Protesters opposing the arrest of CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli have gathered at Maitighar.

Since 3 PM, UML activists have been demonstrating around the Maitighar–Babarmahal area. They attempted to move from Babarmahal towards New Baneshwor despite police attempts to stop them.

Currently, protesters have reconvened at Maitighar.

Previously, on September 8 and 9, the Gen Z movement took place but was suppressed.

At that time, KP Sharma Oli was the Prime Minister and Congress leader Ramesh Lal Lekhak was the Home Minister. Following the arrests of Oli and Lekhak, UML initiated the current demonstrations in protest.

March 28, Kathmandu – The Nepali Congress has expressed serious concerns that the country could once again descend into conflict and instability if the government does not exercise restraint. Following the arrest of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Congress spokesperson Devaraj Chalise issued a five-point statement on Saturday urging the government to avoid provocation.

The statement emphasized, “Regarding the incidents on September 8 and 9, the Nepali Congress firmly believes that impartial, transparent, and lawful investigations, prosecutions, and all other legal procedures concerning the involved individuals and organizations must proceed.” It further stressed, “We want to clarify that the public has the right to know who was involved in the events of September 8, as well as who was behind the arson and destruction on September 9.”

The party holds that anyone involved in the incidents of both days should face legal consequences and that Congress will cooperate for this purpose. “However, such legal action must not occur under excitement or impulse but must strictly follow the legal process,” the statement underlined.

“If the government is not restrained and mature, hasty decisions could weaken the rule of law and drive the country back toward conflict and instability,” the views released by spokesperson Chalise stated. “The Nepali Congress urges the government to treat this issue with utmost seriousness.”

March 28, Kathmandu – Following demonstrations by leaders and activists of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), tension has escalated in the Maitighar–Baneshwor area of Kathmandu. Police have been deployed to maintain control over the security situation.

During the ongoing protests, a significant number of security personnel have been stationed around Singha Durbar. A similar general strike had taken place on September 9 and 10, which was met with suppression.

At that time, KP Sharma Oli, the chairman of the UML, was serving as Prime Minister, and Ramesh Lekhak, a Congress leader, was the Home Minister. Following their arrests, the UML launched protests as an expression of dissent.

14 Chaitra, Dhangadhi – A protest was held in Dhangadhi demanding the release of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. According to a central circular from the CPN-UML, 23 active district organizations jointly organized the demonstration on Saturday afternoon.

The rally marched from the UML party office to the main gate of the District Administration Office, carrying placards with various slogans and chanting against the government.

Protesters called for the immediate release of Oli and Ramesh Lekhak.

Following the protest, a corner meeting was held on the road in front of the District Administration Office, featuring speeches by Kuber Khadka, president of ANERASWAVIU Kailali; Madan Regmi, leader of the Farmers’ Federation of Sudurpashchim; and Lokendra Singh, central deputy general secretary of the Landless Squatters’ Organization.

They accused the government led by Balendra Shah of adopting a policy of retaliation against Oli and Lekhak, urged their immediate release, and warned that failure to do so would lead to further protests.

March 27, Kathmandu – The police have arrested Karnabahadur Mall, a leader of the CPN-UML in Karnali Province, on charges of rape.

Mall, 52, originally from Soru Rural Municipality-10 in Mugu district and currently residing in Chandragiri Municipality-7, Kathmandu, was detained on Saturday.

He was apprehended from Lalitpur Metropolitan City-15, according to Lalitpur Senior Superintendent of Police Hobindra Bogati.

The arrest follows a complaint filed by a woman accusing Mall of rape. Based on this complaint, the police took him into custody on Saturday.

The team from the Lalitpur District Police Office and the Satdobato Police Post were involved in Mall’s arrest.

The victim had filed the police complaint on February 17 and had received public support a short time ago while staging a sit-in protest at Maitighar.

*Earlier reports incorrectly stated that he was about to become a member of the Constituent Assembly; this has been corrected – Editor

March 17, Mahendranagar — The Nepali Congress is holding a protest in Kanchanpur, the home district of former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

The party initiated the demonstration in Mahendranagar, the district headquarters, in opposition to Lekhak’s arrest by the government on Saturday morning.

Starting from the party office, the Congress rally advanced towards Pushpalal Chowk via the Industrial and Commercial Association building.

According to District Secretary Bhim Bhatt, the protest will continue through the market area near the monument where King Mahendra’s statue has been reinstalled, culminating in a corner meeting at Pushpalal Chowk.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) has also joined the Congress-led protest. The UML became involved after the Congress rally moved from the party office towards Pushpalal Chowk.

The police arrested former Home Minister Lekhak on Saturday morning from his residence in Katunje, Bhaktapur. He has been detained at Police Battalion No. 2 in Maharajgunj.

Following Lekhak’s arrest, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was also taken into custody and admitted to a teaching hospital in Maharajgunj.

The Nepali Congress has yet to issue a formal response regarding Lekhak’s arrest. However, the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) has announced plans to launch programs to oppose the government in response to Chairman Oli’s detention.

April 14, Kathmandu – Some UML activists assaulted journalists who were reporting from the party office in protest against the arrest of former Prime Minister and UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli.

Journalists covering the secretariat meeting faced aggression from activists inside the party premises who tried to forcibly take their cameras away.

Following the secretariat meeting, UML activists staged a protest by burning tires on the corridor bridge in Chyasal. During this demonstration, journalists taking photos and videos were physically attacked and verbally abused.

The activists targeted journalists including Kaushal Kafle and Prasun Sangroula from an online news portal, and Daya Dudraj from Kantipur.

While assaulting the journalists, they said, “Where was your camera when the country was burning? Where was your phone when Singha Durbar was set on fire yesterday? What have you come to film now?”

Earlier, the activists had chased away several journalists, verbally abusing them along the way. From the UML office in Chyasal to the corridor bridge, they persistently pushed back the media personnel with insults and threats.

14th Chaitra, Kathmandu – Tensions escalated in the Maitighar area following protests by CPN UML party workers opposing the arrest of their Chairman, KP Sharma Oli.

Police detained Chairman KP Sharma Oli early this morning, which led 23 UML-affiliated organizations to unite in staging a protest in Maitighar as a form of dissent.

Protesters violated the existing curfew as they advanced toward New Baneshwor, prompting police to initiate strict actions to regain control. This has resulted in heightened tensions within the Maitighar vicinity.

March 28, Kathmandu – A fire has broken out at the Thakali Restaurant located near the Clock Tower in Kathmandu. Firefighters and security personnel have been dispatched to the scene to extinguish the blaze.

The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, and no details regarding the extent of the damage have been reported yet.

March 27, Kathmandu – The Nepali Congress in Kanchanpur has called for an emergency meeting. The party has scheduled this special session to discuss the recent arrest of former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

District Secretary Bhim Bhatt informed that the emergency meeting has been set for 3:30 PM on Saturday. Kanchanpur is the home district of Lekhak, who won the 2079 (2022) election from Kanchanpur-3 constituency.

Secretary Bhatt added that the meeting will include general convention delegates, central committee members, regional and local committee members, as well as representatives from affiliated organizations of the Nepali Congress.

Bhatt stated that the meeting aims to finalize programs to protest against Lekhak’s arrest. He alleged that the government has taken such steps as an act of retaliation. “We will discuss and announce protest programs accordingly,” Bhatt said.

The police arrested former Home Minister Lekhak early Saturday morning at his residence in Koteshwor, Bhaktapur. Authorities confirmed that he is under investigation related to a life-threatening criminal case.