Nepal ethnic protesters clash with police for 2nd day
Protests from September to February resulted in the deaths of more than 50 people and blocked key border points with India that resulted in severe shortages of fuel, medicine and other supplies
Supporters of ethnic minority groups demanding changes in Nepal’s new constitution clashed with police Monday and blocked main streets near the prime minister’s office, as their newly started protests entered their second day.
About 500 demonstrators gathered, chanting anti-government slogans and attempting to push through a police barricade. Riot police using batons and demonstrators with sticks briefly clashed, but no serious injuries were reported on either side.
Security was stepped up around Singha Durbar, a fortified complex in Kathmandu that houses the prime minister’s office and government offices, with hundreds of riot police guarding the streets.
More than 50 people were killed in previous clashes between police and opponents of the charter.
Madhesi demonstrators also blocked a major cross-border trade route, sparking a national shortage of fuel and other supplies from neighbouring India. The crisis was only resolved in February.
The Madhesi minority group, which is leading the protests, wants a bigger state than assigned in the new constitution. At least three other minority groups that joined the protests want separate states for their populations as well.