The rally that started from Bhrikutimandap went through Martyrs' Gate and New Road before converging into a corner meeting adjacent to the Bir Hospital after the police prevented demonstrators carrying battons from heading towards the Peace Park (Shanti Batika) at Ratna Park.The Home Ministry had already issued A directive barring show-up of batons in the rally. At the meeting, UCPN (Maoist) Standing Committee member Janardhan Sharma accused the government of trying to deliberately push the country towards renewed conflict.
Sharma said the government has taken steps against democratic norms and values opting for blocking the peaceful rally and suppressing the rights guaranteed by the constitution.
Sharma added the agitation would continue in the coming days until an environment permissive of a consensual constitution was created.
The rally was spearheaded by UCPN (Maoist) Secretary Top Bahadur Rayamahji. UCPN (Maoist) Kathmandu District Chair Himal Sharma alleged the police of being bent on disrupting the demonstration in name of 'orders from above'. He claimed that 11 activists had sustained injuries during what he termed as a 'minor scuffle' between the police force and the agitators.
The police had urged the agitators to leave their batons whereas the demonstrators claim the rally was meant to be peaceful.
The opposition alliance took out the demonstration as part of a raft of agitation programmes under the second phase of stir to press for delivery of the new constitution on consensus. RSS
Related story
Solidarity for Dr KC Alliance stages demonstration in support o...
