In brief
Tensions in Nepal escalated on Friday as protests demanding the restoration of monarchy led to violent confrontations, claiming two lives and injuring many others.
Two people died and dozens were injured during fierce clashes in Kathmandu, Nepal on Friday, as demonstrators rallied for the return of the monarchy, which was abolished in 2008 in favor of a secular republic. The protesters are advocating for the reinstatement of Gyanendra Shah, the last king, and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy that honors Nepal's Hindu identity.Dinesh Kumar Acharya, a spokesman for the Nepali police, confirmed that the deceased included a protester killed by gunfire and a television journalist who perished in a chaotic incident when a building ignited during the demonstration. In addition to the fatalities, approximately 30 civilians and 40 police officers sustained injuries amid the unrest.In response to the violence, the government enforced a curfew in significant areas of Kathmandu and dispatched military personnel to help restore public order.The recent surge in pro-monarchist protests highlights growing discontent among supporters of the monarchy, who accuse the current political administration, including Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, of corruption and incompetence in addressing poverty and political instability in the nation.
