The home ministry has designated seven locations for holding protests

Kathmandu, April 21

Dr Govinda KC, senior orthopaedic surgeon at Tribhuvan University Teaching  Hospital, today took strong exception to the government’s decision to  ban demonstration at Maitighar Mandala, citing it as “anti-democratic”  and “against people’s right to peaceful assembly.”

Speaking at a programme in Maitighar Mandala, he asked the government to scrap the decision  and threatened to stage protest in the restricted area.“If the  government suppresses the voice of the people then it is the duty of the  citizens to fight against it,” Dr KC said.

Maitighar Mandala has become a popular site for staging demonstrations. Dr KC had  also staged protests in the area.

The District Administration Office, Kathmandu, on  April 15 had banned demonstrations at Maitighar Mandala following a  directive from the home ministry. The ministry has designated  seven locations for holding demonstrations. Protesters  can demonstrate only at Open Air Theatre (Khullamanch), Tinkune,  Bhuinkhel Chaur of Bhagwanpau, playground at Pepsicola, Sano Gaucharan  Ground, open space in front of the Social Welfare Council at Lainchaur  and Siphal Chaur.