The streets of Nepal&rsquo;s capital turned into a battleground on Friday as riot police clashed with thousands of demonstrators demanding the restoration of a constitutional monarchy, leading to the deaths of two individuals, including a journalist. The protest, which began as a peaceful rally advocating for the replacement of Nepal&rsquo;s democratic system with a monarchy, quickly spiralled into chaos as demonstrators set fire to buildings, vandalized public property, and attempted to storm restricted areas.
Authorities responded with force, deploying tear gas, water cannons, and baton-wielding riot police to disperse the unruly crowd. Despite these measures, clashes intensified in the Tinkune area, prompting the Kathmandu District Administration Office to impose a curfew from 4:25 PM to 10 PM in affected areas, including Baneshwar, Gaushala, Tinkune, Koteshwar, and Jadibuti Bridge.
Escalating Violence and Fatalities
The confrontation escalated when protestors broke through police barricades, hurling stones and attempting to march towards the Parliament building. In response, police resorted to aerial gunfire to deter further advances. The violence claimed two lives&mdash;a journalist from a Nepali news channel and another unidentified individual&mdash;while at least 17 others, including three police officers, sustained injuries. Three protestors were taken into custody.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, demonstrators torched private residences, a hospital, a media house, a shopping mall, and the central office of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist), which was left in flames after being ransacked by the crowd. Vehicles parked along the roadside were also set ablaze.
Ground Situation and Government Response
Security forces struggled to contain the turmoil as protestors wielded Nepal&rsquo;s national flags while demanding a return to the Hindu kingdom system. As night fell, officials warned that the curfew might be extended if the situation remained volatile. Police spokesperson Shekhar Khanal confirmed the deployment of additional security personnel to prevent further destruction.
The demonstration, organized by pro-monarchy groups, was fuelled by growing public frustration over political instability and economic stagnation. Nepal has witnessed 14 different governments since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, leaving the country struggling with governance issues. The economic downturn has pushed millions of Nepali youth to seek employment in foreign nations, particularly in the Middle East, South Korea, and Malaysia.
Public discontent over unfulfilled promises by successive governments has been rising, with many Nepalese citizens blaming the current democratic system for corruption and inefficiency. While protests for the restoration of monarchy have taken place before, Friday&rsquo;s events marked one of the most violent uprisings in recent years, highlighting deep-seated political and social tensions.
As Nepal reels from the aftermath of the clashes, authorities remain on high alert, with security reinforcements positioned throughout Kathmandu. The coming days will determine whether the nation faces further unrest or whether the government can de-escalate the growing demand for a return to monarchy.
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Nepal Protest Turns Violent, 2 Dead Including Journalist

Police crackdown on monarchy supporters; curfew imposed till 10 PM after violent clashes

March 28, 2025 | 22:35 IST