Kathmandu, July 10

Police today arrested 25 human right activists who were preparing to stage a sit-in at Singha Durbar southern gate this afternoon.

Those arrested include founder chair of Human Rights and Peace Society Nepal Krishna Pahadi and chair Gangadhar Adhikari.

A group of around 50 activists who were marching towards the gate were arrested by police within less than five minutes of their arrival. While half of them were arrested, other half were scattered from the site.

The activists said they were preparing to stage a peaceful protest against the government’s decision to prohibit public from staging protests at Maitighar Mandala and other places in Kathmandu. They have also criticised the government for turning a deaf ear to the demands of Ganga Maya Adhikari and Dr Govinda KC.

Adhikari has been staging hunger strike for the past 43 days demanding punishment for those  involved in the extra-judicial killing of her son during the Maoist insurgency. Likewise, Dr KC is on hunger strike for the past 10 days demanding that the government incorporate recommendations of the Kedar Bhakta Mathema led commission in the medical education bill.

Talking to The Himalayan Times Pahadi said, “This government has given a clear indication that it is headed towards imposing an authoritarian rule by seizing the freedom of expression.”

Pahadi further said that the government was becoming an ‘unbridled horse’ filled with the pride of its two-thirds majority in the Parliament. He also said that they will stage protests on July 14 and July 16.

HURPES is a voluntary organisation which was established in 2053 with the aim of promoting human rights.