KATHMANDU: Police detained 26 individuals on Thursday at Maitighar for attempting to hold a rally and assembly without permission from the Kathmandu District Administration Office.

According to Police Superintendent Pawan Kumar Bhattarai, spokesperson for the Kathmandu District Police, among those detained were Nicholas (Kamal) Bhusal, Manojkumar Bhattarai, Ram Prakash Mahato, Ashok Bista, Dinesh Subedi, and Birgunj Bishwakarma.

“Holding rallies or assemblies requires prior approval from the District Administration Office. Since they gathered without permission, police intervened,” Bhattarai said.

Police usually provide security when rallies and assemblies are conducted with proper authorization. Those detained were taken to the Kathmandu District Police Office and will be released based on the nature of their offenses.

Bhusal had previously been arrested in a cyber-related case. He was accused of taking and publicly sharing a photo of Rabi Lamichhane while in custody under the Kaski police.

This time, Bhusal and his group had gathered at Maitighar demanding that the Gen Z movement’s demands be met.
“They were attempting to incite the public and provoke clashes by holding a rally without permission,” Bhattarai added.

Gen Z groups had warned of protests starting Thursday. However, following appeals for dialogue and resolution by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday evening, they had announced a temporary halt to the movement.

Despite this, other individuals began gathering at Maitighar on Thursday morning, prompting the police to tighten security.