KATHMANDU: A peaceful teachers’ protest at New Baneshwor turned violent on Sunday after clashes erupted between demonstrators and police.
The confrontation broke out when teachers tried to forcefully enter a restricted zone, leading police to use water cannons and physical force to disperse them. In response, enraged protesters began pelting stones at security forces, escalating the situation.
The Nepal Teachers’ Federation has been staging a Kathmandu-focused education movement since Chaitra 20 (April 2), and Sunday marked the 25th day of continuous agitation.
Signs of brewing unrest had already appeared a day earlier when protesters attempted to breach the restricted area on Saturday as well. However, Sunday’s events marked a sharp departure from the generally peaceful nature of the movement until now.
The police crackdown came only after protesters defied the security perimeter and made a determined push into prohibited zones, according to eyewitness accounts.
