Prohibited Zones Expanded: Kathmandu District Bans Protests Till April

KATHMANDU: The District Administration Office Kathmandu has announced an extension of the designation of prohibited zones in the district for the next two months.

These areas are now off-limits for any form of protest activities, including processions, demonstrations, sit-ins, and gatherings.

Effective immediately, the major offices of the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, residences of high-ranking office-bearers, the administrative center of the country, and main arrival routes have been designated as prohibited zones.

The prohibition encompasses the area from the old Pabira Workshop Chowk east of the President's office to the Samakhushi outlet in the west, and from the South East Gate of the National Police Training Academy to the Police Hospital in the south.

Additionally, the road extending from the Prime Minister's Residence in Baluwatar through to the Russian Embassy and Italia Chowk, as well as the road from the Speaker's Residence to Gairidhara in the west, Lazimpat from the Chief Justice's Residence, 100 meters eastward from Rastra Bank Chowk, and 50 meters south of Italia Chowk have been included in the prohibited zone.

"Based on the recommendations of the District Security Committee, Kathmandu, and in accordance with section 6 of the Local Administration Act, 2028 BS, gatherings of more than five people to carry out processions, demonstrations, sit-ins, strikes, and hunger strikes have been prohibited in the designated zones for a maximum of two months starting February 17," reads the statement issued by the DAO, Kathmandu.