In a bold move, renowned senior orthopedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC, along with eight other individuals, was apprehended by the police for staging a protest in the prohibited area of Maitighar Mandala. The protest, organized to advocate for ‘Justice to Victims of Armed Conflict, Equitable Health & Education, and Good Governance’ for all Nepalis, took an unexpected turn as law enforcement intervened to enforce the designated protest-free zone.
The local administration had declared the Maitighar area a prohibited zone effective from November 21, citing the need to maintain public order and safety. Prior to the demonstration, the police had duly informed Dr Govind KC and advised against staging any protests in the restricted area. However, Dr KC insisted on seeing a court order, asserting that Maitighar is not a prohibited zone, and proceeded with the protest despite the warnings.
The police promptly took action, detaining Dr Govind KC and the other protesters, citing violation of the prescribed regulations. The arrest has sparked discussions on the balance between the right to peaceful assembly and the need for maintaining public order in restricted zones.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Dr Govind KC and the arrested individuals will respond to the charges, and whether the incident will reignite the debate on the boundaries of public protests in designated areas. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the legal proceedings progress.
06th Jan 2024
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