Amidst growing concerns of potential disruptions, the District Administration Offices (DAO) in Kathmandu and Lalitpur have taken preventive measures by issuing prohibition orders, placing restrictions on gatherings exceeding five persons for protests, processions, sit-ins, gherao, hunger strikes, and assemblies at key areas of the capital.
In Kathmandu, Chief District Officer Jeetendra Basnet announced a prohibition order effective from November 21. The restricted zones include areas surrounding the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas, and the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, in addition to Maitighar area where prohibitory orders were issued yesterday.
Restricted zones, justified by the DAO, encompass areas from Sheetal Niwas to Pabitra Workshop in the east, Samakhushi canal in the west, North gate of the National Police Training Academy in the north, and the route to the Police Hospital in the south. Additional restricted areas include Pabitra Workshop Chowk to Nepal Rastra Bank Chowk toward Baluwatar and from the Speaker’s residence up to 100 meters west-south of the Gairidhara road. “The measures aim to avert disruptions to peace, security, and public services around residences and offices of distinguished individuals”, as per the District Administration Office.
Simultaneously, the Lalitpur DAO has declared the area around the United Nations Office and Ministers’ Residence at Pulchowk as a prohibited zone for six months, starting November 21. The decision was made considering the security sensitivity of the United Nations Office and Ministers’ Residence at Pulchowk.
In anticipation of potential protests, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has urged residents to use vehicles only for urgent matters on November 23. They have advised people to stay informed about the situation through hotline numbers 100 or 103 and FM 95.5 MHz (Traffic FM).