PTI, KATHMANDU, MARCH 31, 2025 : Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Oli said on Monday that violence erupted in the pro-monarchy protests here as former king Gyanendra Shah attempted to disrupt social harmony and create social division. Speaking in the House of Representatives (HoR), Oli accused the former king of aligning with individuals, refusing to repay bank loans, and stirring social unrest for his ambitions.
Oli said the Tinkune area incident occurred because of these actions of the former king, My Republica reported. Two persons, including a TV cameraman, were killed and 110 others injured in the clashes between security personnel and protesters, who were demanding the reinstatement of the Hindu monarch. So far, 110 people have been arrested in connection with the violent protests.
“The alleged organisers attempted to drive a vehicle over the police and breached the restricted area. There were terrorist activities like setting fire to the international airport and the oil corporation’s depot,” Oli said. “Setting fire to someone’s house, looting a shopping mall, and setting fire to a herbal company cannot be considered political activities,” he said, adding those involved in the violent acts would not be spared.
Oli said the home ministry would provide detailed information about the incident to the House at an appropriate time. He said a detailed report would be prepared on the incident.
“An analysis from a year ago is necessary. There was an attempt to incite public rage by spreading excitement on sensitive issues like religion, culture, and tradition,” Oli said. “The former king invited those unruly individuals to his home and appointed a so-called commander.”
“Shouldn’t those who aim to become king again publicly express their view on these successive events?” he said.
“Former King Shah issued a video statement on Democracy Day (February 19) that incited the crowd. He will not be granted impunity. Those seeking to overthrow the system and restore the monarchy must make their views public on these actions.”
Oli’s remarks prompted protests from lawmakers of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) in the parliament. The party advocates for the reinstatement of the Hindu Kingdom in the Himalayan region.
Weather Update: Heatwave Likely to Increase This Summer
Minimum temperatures will be higher than usual across most of the country, except for a few places in the northwest and the northeast where temperatures may be normal or slightly below normal, the IMD chief said.
Last week, the central government asked states to check if their hospitals were ready to handle heatstroke and heat-related illnesses amid a rise in temperatures.
India experienced an exceptionally harsh summer last year, recording 536 heatwave days, the highest in 14 years, according to the IMD. Official data showed that India recorded 41,789 suspected heat stroke cases and 143 heat-related deaths during one of its hottest and longest heat waves.
Experts have said India might be undercounting heat-related deaths due to lack of robust data.
The heat wave arrived much earlier in 2025 than last year. In 2024, India reported its first heat wave in Odisha on April 5, but parts of the Konkan and coastal Karnataka experienced heat waves as early as February 27-28 this year.
Experts have warned that India should prepare for a peak electricity demand growth of 9 to 10 per cent this summer season, with the country expected to experience a higher number of heatwave days.
Last year, the all-India peak electricity demand crossed 250 gigawatts on May 30 — 6.3 per cent higher than projections.
Climate change-induced heat stress is one of the key factors driving electricity demand.
The country is expected to receive normal rainfall in April at 88 to 112 per cent of the long-term average of 39.2 mm, the IMD said. Many areas in northwest, northeast, west-central, and peninsular India may get normal to above-normal rainfall.
Mohapatra also warned that landslides could occur in parts of Kerala and Karnataka in the Western Ghats and that northeastern states might face flooding in April.
