Police and Hindu radicals clash as the nation fears anarchy
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Security forces and Hindu monarchists have recently clashed in the capital. Demonstrators demand the restoration of a constitutional monarchy, a Hindu state and the dissolution of the constituent assembly just two days before its term expires. The failure of political parties to find a consensus on extending the former’s term is now raising fears that the country might plunge in a state of anarchy.
The demonstration organised by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N), a Hindu monarchist party, began on Thursday and ended today near the constituent assembly building. A dozen people were injured in the clashes with police, which moved in when demonstrators tried to break into the no-go zone around the building.
Several Hindu fundamentalist groups from India and Nepal joined the protest. A number of Indian and Nepali gurus were seen at the event carrying yellow scarves, pots and sticks.
Many are now afraid that if political parties fail to reach an agreement on extending the term of the constituent assembly, the country might plunge in a state of anarchy.
The two ruling Communist parties and the main opposition party, the Nepali Congress, have been unable to agree on extending the term of the constituent assembly, this despite a sentence of the Supreme Court, urging them to prolong the body’s term of office by six months.
All the uncertainty is causing fear among ordinary Nepalis who have started stockpiling food. Office workers have been seen leaving their job to queue at shopping centres to buy essential items like food, vegetables, cooking gas and fuel.
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