KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) – The riot police in Nepal clashed for hours on Monday with thousands of protesters demanding the return of the monarchy that was abolished more than a decade ago and the restoration of a Hindu state.
The police blocked the main road to the prime minister’s office, using truncheons to beat the protesters, who responded by throwing stones and sticks. There were no reports of serious injuries.
It was the latest in a series of protests against Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli’s government by several groups, including a faction from his ruling Communist party.
The unrest, fueled by Oli’s failure to honor an agreement to split his term as prime minister with the co-leader of the governing party, has increased mistrust in the political system.
Protesters on Monday accused the government of corruption and the use of force against peaceful demonstrations.
“Rei, please come back and save our country. We want the monarchy back, to abolish the republic, ”shouted the protesters while waving the country’s flag.
Weeks of street protests in 2006 forced then-king Gyanendra to abandon his authoritarian rule and introduce democracy. Two years later, a newly elected parliament voted to abolish the monarchy and declared Nepal a republic with a president as head of state.
Since then, Gyanendra has lived in Nepal as a private citizen, without state power or protection. He still has some support from the people, but little chance of returning to power.
Protesters also demanded that Nepal be declared a Hindu state again. Most Nepalese are Hindu, but shortly after the end of the king’s rule, parliament also decided to transform the country into a secular state.
Oli became prime minister after his Nepal Communist Party won the election three years ago. His party and the party of ex-Maoist rebels merged to form a unified communist party before the vote.
Tensions, however, increased between Oli and the leader of the ex-rebels, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is co-chair of the combined party. The two had previously agreed to split the prime minister’s five-year term between them, but Oli refused to allow Dahal to take office.
Instead, Oli ordered the dissolution of parliament last month and announced new elections later this year.
The dissolution of Parliament was protested by the Dahal faction and opposition groups.