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Nepal’s ruling allies demand ex-King’s arrest, govt slashes his security

The demand by the members of Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist and the Nepali Congress in the House of Representatives was confronted by the MPs of the pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party, leading to the adjournment of the House.

Former King Gyanendra Shah. (AP/PTI)

Nepal’s ruling coalition on Sunday demanded the arrest of former King Gyanendra Shah over the violence that erupted during the pro-monarchy protests on Friday.

The demand by the members of Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist and the Nepali Congress in the House of Representatives was confronted by the MPs of the pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party, leading to the adjournment of the House.

The pro-monarchy members alleged “excessive use of force” by the K P Sharma Oli-led government. Rastriya Janata party-Nepal chief and former Deputy PM Kamal Thapa said: “The government can come and arrest me any time because I am a monarchist.”

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A highly placed source in the government told The Indian Express that government — under pressure from the CPN-UML — has been contemplating taking action against the former King, including his arrest or in-house confinement.

Also read | Behind Nepal’s violent street protests: discontent with corruption and an unresolved social crisis

The government has also downsized the security team deployed for former king Gyanendra Shah on Sunday.

The number of security personnel at the Nirmal Niwas, the private residence of the ex-king, has been reduced from 25 to 16.

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