KATHMANDU: Visually impaired citizens who rely on street vending for their livelihood staged a protest at the central office of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in Banasthali, Kathmandu, to press for various demands.

The visually impaired individuals had reached the RSP office to brief Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane about their grievances. However, they grew angry and began demonstrating after they were denied an audience with him. When they attempted to enter the office forcefully to find Chairman Lamichhane, police personnel intervened and stopped them.

The protesting citizens expressed frustration, alleging that security personnel misled them by falsely promising that they would be allowed to meet the party chairman.

Visually impaired and low-vision individuals, who use pavements as their workspace, have been protesting against the forceful crackdowns carried out by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City and various other authorities.

They accuse the government of failing to guarantee their basic needs—food, shelter, and clothing—while simultaneously depriving them of the ability to make a living through street-side trade.