A planned visit by CPN (UML) General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and leader Mahesh Basnet to attend a program of the party's National Youth Association Nepal in Bara was halted after protests and clashes erupted at the Simara Airport premises.
Pokhrel and Basnet, among other leaders, were forced to remain in Kathmandu as the airport was shut down due to the unrest. The demonstration led to a confrontation between the UML supporters and the protestors. UML District Chairman Adhyananda Pandey accused Maoist party workers of using "Gen Z" youth to sabotage their event and verbally abuse their leaders.
Curfew imposed in Simara
Following the clash, which police brought under control using tear gas, the Bara District Administration Office imposed a curfew. The curfew was immediately enforced from 12:30 pm until 8:00 pm today, citing high security risks due to the escalating clashes between Gen Z protestors and political party-affiliated groups.
The order, issued by Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, strictly prohibits movement, gatherings, processions, demonstrations, and meetings within the specified area. The airport's closure resulted directly from the unrest.
Protestors demand action against assaulters
The Gen Z protestors, however, claimed they were conducting a peaceful demonstration and were assaulted by local UML workers, naming specific individuals. Samrat Upadhyay, who identified himself as the Bara District Chairman of the Sudhan Gurung group and an active participant in Gen Z events, demanded action against those who allegedly attacked them, including the transfer of local police officials, and the arrest of Mahesh Basnet for "spreading terror."
The protestors were reportedly burning tires at Simara Chowk. Meanwhile, Jitpur Simara Sub-Metropolitan Mayor Rajan Paudel (a central committee member of the Nepali Communist Party/former Maoist) denied that Maoist party members initiated the protest, stating only Gen Z youths were involved initially, though others may have joined later during the counter-attack.
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