KATHMANDU, MARCH 29
In response to growing calls for action against the former monarch following Friday's protests, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has fined Gyanendra Shah around Rs 800,000.
The city police have issued a letter to the former king imposing fines for a variety of offences, including littering the streets and sidewalks, breaking railings and vandalising fire engines used to extinguish fires during the pro-monarchy demonstration.
According to City Police Chief Raju Pandey action will be taken, if the former king fails to pay the fine.
The metropolis has issued eight letters under nine different headings, imposing a total fine of Rs. 793,000 fine on the former monarch.
Many have applauded KMC's move to penalise the former monarch, while Kamal Thapa, the former deputy prime minister, called it a stunt.
"KMC's decision to fine King Gyanendra for the programme held in Tinkune on March 28 is ridiculous. A stunt such as 'letter sent to the wrong address,' was performed. I am not sure how Mayor Balen Shah could have made such an error. I request that the metropolitan city review the record of the United People's Movement Committee and the Civil Defence Campaign, which held the programme with the approval of the district administration," reads his post. "The letter's language is also impolite and inappropriate. The metropolitan city, aside from the king, should have known that he is also a former head of state. It would be prudent to retract the letter."
On the other hand, many have commented over Thapa posts expressing that no one is above law and supporting the KMC decision to penalise the former monarch.
"I am extremely happy. Everyone, whether king, UML, Maoist, or common man, must follow the rules. Everyone is subject to the rules." Karki Mohan's comment on Thapa's post reads, "Whatever Balen Shah did, he did well, and I am very satisfied."
"Gyanendra Shah fined, demonstrating the power of democracy. Will all local governments grasp their rights, duties, responsibilities, and powers in the same way?" reads Bimal Acharya Facebook post.
During the royalist's protests on Friday, Kathmandu witnessed vandalism and arson in Tinkune, Koteshwor, and elsewhere. Police used force to stop a stone-throwing crowd from marching towards the parliament building in Kathmandu, resulting in the death of two people, while injuring at least 112-including 77 security officials-sustained injuries according to authorities. Protesters vandalised homes, shops, a hospital, a political party office, vehicles, and a shopping mall, stealing a weapon from police.
Following the deadly pro-monarch protest, the metropolis imposed fines in accordance with the Environment and Natural Resources Conservation Act 2020 and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Finance Act.
Meanwhile, a hashtag campaign called 'ArrestGyanendra' has been trending in the social media, demanding the arrest of former King Gyanendra Shah.
Today, users posted about the former King Shah on various social media platforms, demanding his arrest. Netizens took to 'X' and other social media platforms, posting a common picture with the hashtag #ArrestGyanendra.
"Home Minister, when will the mastermind behind yesterday's massacre be apprehended? Why is Gyanendra, who plotted murder, robbery, and dacoity while staying at Nirmal Niwas, still protected? When will criminals be held accountable for creating soft content that misleads the public? #ArrestGyanendra," reads Gokul Mishra's post on 'X.'
"The government should immediately arrest and prosecute the former king, who is the mastermind behind the massacre, who is inciting violence in the country, causing loss of life and property, and who lives in a peaceful residence by exploiting government services and facilities. #ARRESTGYANENDRA," reads Tulshi Ghimire post on 'X.'
On Facebook, Samik Badal, president of the ANNFSU, a sister organisation to the CPN-UML, wrote, "When will the main planner of yesterday's massacre be arrested, Home Minister? When will the kingpin, Gyanendra, be arrested? He called the alleged commander to Nirmal Niwas a day ago and planned murder, robbery, as well as buying a Facebook page with millions of followers and forcing him to create soft content glorifying violence as a movement. Arrest the murderer, Gyanendra. #ArrestGyanendra."
Puskar Thapa wrote: "Immediately arrest former King Gyanendra Shah, the mastermind behind the criminal gang that burned journalists alive, attacked media outlets, and damaged people's private property."
"Shouldn't Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah be apprehended for instigating yesterday's heinous murders, pillage, arson and loss of property?" queried Bhaarati Silawal Giri in her Facebook post. In her other post, she wrote, "The groundswell is growing! This is about command responsibility! Apprehend him! Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah must be booked for this heinous murder."
