Bhaktapur, April 15:

Expressing solidarity with the movement for democracy, locals of Pandu village in Surya Binayak took out a peaceful protest rally today.

Waving flags of different parties and holding aloft placards, some 1,500 demonstrators took part in the rally which ended up as a meeting at Kamal Binayak after passing through main thoroughfares of the city. Leaders of different political parties addressed the gathering.

Gopal Karmacharya of the CPN-UML, Bhesha Bahadur Karki of the NC, Baburaja Joshi of the NC(D), Bishnu Nishutu of the People’s Front Nepal and Rameshwar Bohora of the Nepal Workers’ and Peasant’ Party addressed the demonstrators.

The rallyists then returned to Surya Binayak Chowk where they staged a sit-in till 7 pm. Chiranjivi Wagle, 85, a resident of Gudu village, sang Khaijadi Bhajan (a ballad accompanied by Khaijadi, a musical instrument) while pandit Narahari Lamshal gave prabachan (lecture) on democracy.

Security forces did not intervene in the programme. “They rather gave the rally a big hand as it went past them,” said Mahesh Basnet, a demonstrator. Buoyed demonstrators puffed up their chests and evinced confidence. “We even took tyres from the premises of the district traffic police office,” Raju Khadka, a rallyist said.

The demonstrators declared Surya Binayak Chowk a lokatantrik (democratic) chowk. “Our protest will continue till we achieve our goal,” Rameshwor Thapa, a demonstrator, said.

With effect from today, locals announced they will stage a protest from 7 am till 7 pm daily and lunch on the road, adding that protests would continue until democracy is restored.

Meanwhile, pro-democracy locals of Lokanthali staged a rally. The rallyists came face-to-face with security personnel at Lokanthali around 1:30 pm, but the latter let them pass unmolested until they reached Kausaltar.

The agitators collected Rs 15,161 for the injured. Around 500 women of Lokanthali also took to the streets in support of the ongoing pro-democracy movement.

Meanwhile, tourism entrepreneurs and people associated with the tourism sector on Saturday set up a 15-member Democratic Tourism Society Nepal under the coordination of Deepak Mahat, former president of the Trekking Agents’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), the society said in its statement following a meeting. The society said it would organise a half-an-hour-long peaceful protest in front of the Thamel Nursing Gate on Sunday and urged all tourism entrepreneurs to take part in the protest. It also expressed solidarity with the ongoing pro-democracy movement launched by the seven-party alliance.

The Association of Health Workers, Nepal Medical Association, Paramedics’ Association, Ayurvedic Doctors’ Association and Nurses’ Association today announced free medical service to all those injured in the ongoing movement. In a meeting held at Om Hospital today, medical professionals expressed solidarity with the ongoing movement for democracy by wearing black bands.

The hospital has set up a fund of Rs two lakhs for the treatment of those injured in course of protests. Dr Bhola Rijal donated Rs 25,000 to the fund.

Scores of agitators held in Putalisadak

Kathmandu: Police on Saturday held scores of demonstrators, including journalists and film artistes who were staging a pro-democracy rally at Putalisadak. Police began dragging demonstrators, including the president of the Reporters’ Club Rishi Dhamala, comedian and film artiste Manoj Gajurel and film artiste Nil Hari Kafle as they were marching towards the road following a street corner meeting near the office of the Reporters’ Club. Earlier, addressing the meeting, film star Nikhil Uprety vowed to take to the streets for the sake of democracy. “There can be no development in the film sector under an autocratic regime,” Uprety said. Comedian Manoj Gajurel urged all artistes to take part in the movement. “Don’t go for medals,” he urged the artistes, asking them to fight for betterment of Nepal.

Speaking at the programme held by the Reporters’ Club, artist Nil Hari Kafle, president of the Nepal Teachers’ Association Mohan Gyawali, film director Tirtha Thapa, general secretary of the Nepal Teachers’ Union Nepal Babu Ram Adhikari vowed to take to streets for democracy. — HNS

‘Join movement’

KATHMANDU: The Joint Mass Movement Coordination Committee has appealed to all industrialists, transport entrepreneurs, traders, businessmen, owners of educational institutions and others to “help end autocratic monarchy and establish inclusive democracy” in the country by shutting industries, transport services, businesses and educational institutes and taking part in the ongoing pro-democracy movement. The committee also flayed Saturday’s police action against the rallies staged by journalists. — HNS