Kathmandu, April 3 – Around 2 pm on Wednesday, 22-year-old Bishal Niraula was spotted consuming grapes inside the plastic surgery ward at KMC Hospital in Sinamangal. Hailing originally from Solukhumbu, Niraula resides in Ganeshthan, Chabahil, Kathmandu along with his family.

He is one of the people hurt during confrontations with law enforcement officers at a pro-monarchy demonstration held at Tinkune on March 28th, and he is currently receiving medical care at KMC Hospital. Out of those wounded, six are getting treatment in the plastic surgery unit, whereas the remaining two have been placed under observation in the orthopedic department. Niraula ended up at the facility due to an injury sustained from a police bullet in his left hand when he was near Sinamangal.

“On that particular day, we were conducting the Secondary Education Examination [SEE]. I served as a security guard at the Sainik Awasiya School in Bhaktapur. Like every other examination day, I went to perform my duties. Nevertheless, protests had begun in the Tinkune region, leading to heavy traffic jams extending all the way from Koteshwor as I headed back home post-exam,” explained Niraula.

Next, he opted to head for Chabahil.

“When I arrived at Sinamangal, tensions between the police and demonstrators had escalated. During this chaos, a bullet shot by the police hit my hand,” stated Niraula.

A witness and also a victim, Niraula holds the state responsible for what happened that day. He states that people took to the streets due to increasing dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to function efficiently.

He asks how it is fair for the government to fail at performing its duties adequately and simultaneously prevent individuals from expressing their grievances in public spaces.

The 38-year-old mother, Kamala Niraula, who was present beside him at the hospital, likewise voiced her discontent with the administration.

“In a matter of years, elections will take place, and then we’ll witness those timid leaders who shot at our children and siblings merely for strolling on the sidewalks now pleading for our votes at our doorsteps,” she stated.

The demonstration claimed two lives and resulted in damage to both public and private property.

The Nepal Police report indicates that out of the 53 demonstrators who were hurt during the protest, 13 continue to receive medical care across several facilities. Besides those being attended to at the KMC Hospital located in Sinamangal, patients are also undergoing treatment at institutions such as Civil Hospital, Patan Hospital, Bir Hospital, and the National Trauma Centre.

The authorities have declared that the treatment will be offered at no cost. Nonetheless, those who were hurt continue to feel deep resentment towards the government.

When questioned about visits from individuals who organized the demonstration, several wounded patients reported that nobody had stopped by as of Wednesday.

Following the government’s declaration of complimentary treatments, those who have been hurt acknowledge that they are presently obtaining medications and various forms of assistance at no charge. However, when questioned regarding their ongoing resentment toward the administration, even with the provision of free healthcare, many expressed doubt whether the ultimate expenses for their treatment would genuinely be forgiven.

This highlights the growing divide between people and the government due to their increasing distrust.

Among those interviewed by The Post at the KMC Hospital were Niraula and Ashish Bohora, aged 23, who are both students; Bikash Kumar Gautam, a 56-year-old resident of Koteshwor in Kathmandu; and Rudra Karki, a 34-year-old from Dudhauli in Sindhuli—both of whom are employed in the transportation industry.

Likewise, Kumar Jung Rana, a long-term resident of Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu, is a returning migrant worker with experience from six years working in Malaysia.

Rana acknowledged participating in the protest at Tinkune. The rest maintain they were inadvertently involved in the demonstration. Nonetheless, all five insist that tensions rose when police discharged tear gas from a neighboring structure towards the royalist’s enclosure within the Tinkune grounds.

“Neither with the government nor with the royalists do I stand; my only wish is for all citizens to be treated equally by the government, irrespective of their political leanings,” stated Bohora.

However, the manner in which the authorities stifled the demonstration that day and inflicted undue hardship on us has led me to consider becoming part of the movement myself.

A fifth-semester BBA student named Bohora was shot above the right thigh upon returning home from college and is currently hospitalized.

Several errors committed by the government were cited by the injured patients regarding the Tinkune incident.

Nevertheless, at a press briefing held on Wednesday, representatives from the Nepal Police Headquarters stated that despite adhering to a strategy of minimal force application, they were compelled to assert authority over the circumstances.

In support of their assertion, the police provided video evidence as well. However, once reporters began posing inquiries, the police grew evasive.

It seemed that the police called the press conference to refute “unfounded rumors” circulating on social media about the incidents from March 28.

At the press conference, police spokesman Dinesh Kumar Acharya said that authorities initially employed tear gas at around 12:50 PM on March 28 following an escalation in tensions and persistent provocation from demonstrators. He contended that the sensitivity of the protest’s site compelled law enforcement to take stronger action.

When questioned about granting approval for a demonstration in a delicate location, Acharya’s reply was unclear.

He attempted to dodge the question by stating that there’s no point in further discussion about something that has already happened.” When asked about the utilization of outdated tear gas canisters, he countered with, “it could be that someone utilized an image of some older tear gas shells.”

The demonstrators assert that the circumstances worsened following the police deployment of tear gas towards their stage [pavilion]. To substantiate their allegations, they’ve circulated video clips across social media platforms.

During the press conference when this matter was brought up, the police spokesperson refuted the presence of any such footage, claiming that even if videos like these existed, they would certainly be fabricated. Nevertheless, he offered no additional proof to back his statement.

A query that put Police Spokesperson Acharya on edge pertained to the shooting of 22-year-old Rebika Khatri from Udayapur and her 24-year-old brother Dinesh Khatri. As per the information provided by the police spokesperson, this event occurred close to the Bhatbhateni Supermarket located in Koteshwor.

“A major theft occurred at Bhatbhateni, Koteshwor where numerous individuals were present that day. Following this, when a car caught fire close by, law enforcement opened fire to prevent further escalation. Unfortunately, the gunfire struck the Khatri siblings in their lower thighs. Presently, they are undergoing medical care,” stated the police spokesperson.

Rebika and Dinesh resided in a leased room close to the SOS office in Koteshwor. On her return from work, Rebika met with Dinesh who had come to meet her; they both got shot near their place of stay. Authorities have stated that the investigation regarding this event continues.

The police additionally mentioned that they are continuing their efforts to find Durga Prasai, who was referred to as the ‘leader’ of the pro-monarchy demonstrations held on March 28.