Kathmandu, November 19
Youths in Simara, Bara, staged a protest on Wednesday by defying the curfew order imposed by the local administration.
The District Administration Office, Bara, had issued the curfew order in view of the possible risks arising from tensions between CPN-UML leaders–cadres and Gen-Z youths.
However, a large number of youths gathered in the main bazaar area of Simara and demonstrated, chanting slogans.
Security personnel have been appealing through loudspeakers, urging the youths to return to their homes.
The local administration has prohibited any kind of gathering, procession, demonstration, assembly, meeting, or encirclement within 500 meters on both sides of the Gandak Canal–Pathlaiya road section and within 500 meters around Simara Airport from 12:30 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday.
A clash had erupted early Wednesday morning in the main market area of Bara after UML cadres assaulted Gen-Z youth leader Samrat Upadhyay, creating tension in the airport area.
The UML had organised a Madhes Province–level youth gathering in Parwanipur, Bara, on Wednesday. UML Vice-Chair Shankar Pokharel, Politburo member Mahesh Basnet, and other leaders were on their way to Simara to address the program.
Targeting that event, Gen-Z leader Upadhyay had, on Tuesday evening, called for a peaceful protest via social media with the intention of disrupting the UML’s program.
Following this, on Wednesday morning, UML leaders–cadres assaulted Upadhyay at Simara Chowk. Angered by the incident, the youths chased the UML leaders towards the airport, escalating the situation.
UML leaders from Bara, including former MPs Achyut Mainali, Kishan Shrestha, and Jwala Sah, had reached the airport to welcome UML General Secretary Pokharel, Politburo member Basnet, and others arriving from Kathmandu.
As the leaders entered the airport premises, Gen-Z youths pushed down the main gate of the airport. They continued chanting slogans while pelting stones and glass bottles inside the airport, prompting police to fire tear gas and use batons.
A clash then broke out between the police and the Gen-Z youths.
