At least 2 dead in Nepal after pro-monarchy supporters clash with police during rally

Violent clashes in Kathmandu as protesters demand the return of Nepal's abolished monarchy, resulting in casualties and curfew.

A television cameraman was among two people who died on Friday (March 28, 2025) when supporters of Nepal‘s former king clashed with police during a rally in the capital to demand the restoration of the Himalayan nation’s abolished monarchy.

Several protesters and police officers were injured in the clashes. The Home Ministry said an injured protester died while getting treatment at a hospital, while a local TV station said one of its staff was killed when a building, he was filming from was set on fire.

The Government imposed a curfew in the areas where the clashes happened in Kathmandu after the police in riot gear used tear gas, batons and water canon against the protesters.

Thousands of supporters of former king Gyanendra Shah had gathered at the eastern edge of Kathmandu for the rally organized by an alliance of different groups supporting the ex-monarch.

The gathering on open ground near the airport had been planned as a peaceful rally, but trouble began after some protesters in a white pickup drove at a police barricade, colliding with several officers. Police resorted to shooting tear gas shells and spraying the crowd with water cannon.

On the other side of the capital city, thousands of people who support the present system of republic nation gathered Friday (March 28, 2025) for a counter rally. The rally participants were from the opposition parties led by Maoists party, which fought armed rebellion between 1996-2006 to oust the monarchy.

“It is impossible for the monarchy to come back. It is ridiculous to even thing that some that is already dead and created could come back to life,” said Ram Kumar Shrestha, a Maoist supporter.