Nepali riot police clashed with pro-monarchy demonstrators in Kathmandu on Friday, using tear gas, water cannons, and rattan sticks to break up a rally demanding the reinstatement of the constitutional monarchy. The violence resulted in the deaths of at least two people, according to authorities. The protest turned chaotic as thousands of demonstrators attempted to break through a restricted area where rallies are prohibited, prompting security forces to take action. To prevent further unrest, officials imposed a curfew in the affected region.

Among the casualties was a protester and a journalist covering the event. Avenues TV reported that one of its journalists died after a house he was in was set on fire. Additionally, protesters set fire to a private residence and a vehicle, leaving 17 people injured, including three police officers. Authorities also detained three demonstrators during the unrest. Meanwhile, another protest against the monarchy took place elsewhere in Kathmandu but remained peaceful.

Nepal abolished its 239-year-old monarchy in 2008 as part of a peace agreement that ended a decade-long Maoist insurgency, which had claimed 17,000 lives. This transition turned the country from a Hindu kingdom into a secular, federal republic. The last monarch, 77-year-old Gyanendra, has been living as a private citizen in Kathmandu since his removal from power.

The violence erupted when demonstrators, many carrying Nepal’s national flag, attempted to push past barricades to march toward the parliament building. Security forces responded by firing shots into the air in an effort to disperse what officials described as an "unruly" crowd. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, protesters vandalized private property, a hospital, a political party office, vehicles, a media house, and a shopping mall. Local officials imposed a curfew until 10 PM but stated that it could be extended depending on how the situation develops.

Nepal has faced significant political instability since the monarchy's abolition, with 14 different governments forming in the past 16 years. This constant shift in leadership has hindered economic progress, forcing millions of young Nepalese to seek work abroad, particularly in the Middle East, South Korea, and Malaysia. The country's economy remains heavily reliant on aid and tourism, with Nepal’s breathtaking mountain ranges, including Mount Everest, continuing to attract global visitors. However, growing public frustration with the government's failure to deliver on economic development has contributed to rising tensions in the nation.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.