Kathmandu, February 12
The Kathmandu District Administration Office has issued a prohibitory order within the premises of Tribhuvan International Airport. The order was enforced after some groups and political parties announced plans to stage protests in and around the airport area from Falgun 1.
Local authorities stated that the restriction has been imposed for one month starting Thursday. Under the order, gatherings of more than five people inside the airport premises for hunger strikes, sit-ins, encirclement protests, rallies, demonstrations, or public assemblies will be prohibited.
According to the order issued by Chief District Officer Ishwor Raj Paudel, the restriction applies to the entire airport premises, including all roads within the airport boundary from the Golden Gate entrance, the domestic and international terminal areas, parking zones, and surrounding airport grounds.
The order states that protests or mass gatherings in such a highly sensitive area and its surroundings could lead to unruly activities by agitated crowds, including vandalism and arson.
It also clarifies that, outside the restricted zones, citizens retain their constitutional rights to freedom of thought and expression and to participate peacefully in protests without weapons, and the local administration remains committed to upholding these rights.
The administration further warned that if any government, public, or private property is damaged during pre-announced protest programmes, the organisers will be required to compensate for the losses.
