Water cannons and batons used against teachers’ protest in Kathmandu

Kathmandu, April 27

Like the past 25 days, teachers gathered at Maitighar Mandala at 11 am today, demanding amendments to the School Education Act. From there, they proceeded towards New Baneshwor via the Baber Mahal road.

According to Nanumaya Parajuli, co-chairperson of the Teachers’ Federation, the protest stage had been set up well ahead of the restricted area in Baneshwor, where teacher leaders were delivering speeches.

Teachers were moving back and forth near the police barricades when tensions escalated.

“We had deployed volunteers to manage the crowd and prevent entry into restricted areas. As our volunteers approached the police line, the police attacked them,” said Parajuli. “Our volunteer, Padam Patel, was beaten by the police and suffered a serious eye injury.”

At the same time, stones were thrown at the police. However, the Federation claimed that teachers were not involved in the stone-pelting.

“Some individuals wearing helmets were seen throwing stones. It appears they infiltrated the protest to incite violence,” Parajuli said. “In response, police used water cannons against us.”

The peaceful protest quickly descended into chaos.

“Around 12:30 pm, without any warning, police charged at us with batons and water cannons. It was a premeditated attack on the teachers,” Parajuli added.

According to her, around 60 teachers were injured. “We have a list of 60 injured teachers. I am currently at Civil Hospital, coordinating their treatment,” she said.

Police, however, stated that they were still collecting information on the injured. By the time this report was prepared, police confirmed they had documented details of 15 injured teachers.

Several journalists were also injured during the incident. According to General Secretary of the Federation, Tulabahadur Thapa, Prime Television journalist Sabina Karki was injured and was transferred from Civil Hospital to Tilganga Eye Hospital for treatment. Prime Television confirmed her injury.

“She is currently undergoing treatment at Tilganga, and surgery is needed beneath her eye,” said Prime Television’s Broadcasting Director Raju Bhandari. According to Thapa, injured protesters are receiving treatment at Civil Hospital, Everest Hospital, Trauma Centre, and Tilganga Eye Hospital.

The Teachers’ Federation concluded that the state had used force to suppress the teachers’ movement.

“Our protest has reached its 26th day. Instead of resolving the issue, the state attempted to scatter and weaken us through force. It feels like they are trying to send us back empty-handed,” said Parajuli.

Following today’s incident, the Federation warned of intensifying the protest, stating that the movement had been infiltrated.

“We are teachers — we carry no weapons. The state’s use of infiltrators to provoke violence has been exposed,” said Federation Chairperson Laxmi Kishor Subedi. “Even the most repressive governments of the past couldn’t suppress genuine movements.”

Issuing a stern warning, Subedi added, “Let it be known, every teacher is ready to sacrifice for this cause. Do not underestimate the strength of our movement.”

The Federation has claimed that more teachers and staff will arrive in Kathmandu tomorrow.

“Tomorrow, three times more teachers will gather. Teachers across the country are already calling to say they are coming,” Subedi said.

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