Nepal Government Cuts Ex-King Gyanendra’s Security Detail Amid Arrest Demand From Ruling Coalition Over Violence At Pro-Monarchy Protest

Nepal’s ruling coalition on Sunday (30 March) called for the arrest of former King Gyanendra Shah, Indian Express reported.

The move comes in response to the violence that broke out during pro-monarchy demonstrations held on Friday.

Members of the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress raised the demand in the House of Representatives.

Their move was strongly opposed by MPs from the pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

The clash between both sides led to the adjournment of the parliamentary session.

Pro-monarchy lawmakers accused the K P Sharma Oli-led government of using “excessive force” to suppress the protests.

Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal chief and former deputy prime minister Kamal Thapa said, “The government can come and arrest me any time because I am a monarchist.”

According to a senior government source cited by The Indian Express, the Oli government is under pressure from the CPN-UML to act against the former king.

Options being considered by the Nepal government reportedly include arrest or placing him under house arrest.

The government has also scaled down the former king’s security detail on Sunday.

At Nirmal Niwas, the private residence of Gyanendra Shah, the security team was cut from 25 personnel to 16.

Also Read: ATM Withdrawals Beyond Free Limit To Cost Rs 23 From 1 May: RBI