US embassy cable - 05KATHMANDU2692

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002692 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, NP 
SUBJECT:  UML PROTEST IN KATHMANDU MOSTLY PEACEFUL 
 
REF: A. KATHMANDU 2605 
 
     B. KATHMANDU 2529 
     C. KATHMANDU 2685 
 
Classified By: CDA Elisabeth I. Millard, Reason 1.4 (b/d) 
 
UML's Kathmandu Demonstration a Success 
---------------------------------------- 
 
1. (C) The December 2 demonstration organized in Kathmandu by 
the CPN-UML against the "autocratic monarchy" was largely 
peaceful.  Emboffs observing the demonstration estimated that 
between 15,000 and 20,000 people participated.  They said the 
atmosphere was not tense (the participants sang "We Shall 
Overcome"), although many police were present.  UML sources 
told us that, as of mid-day, the police had not made any 
arrests.  The UN OHCHR and other local human rights 
organizations were visibly present monitoring the meeting. 
The protest dispersed peacefully at about 1530 local time. 
According to unconfirmed local press reports, pro-royalists 
attacked the dispersing demonstrators at 1545 local time, and 
the police subsequently intervened with a baton charge and 
used tear gas canisters.  However, Emboffs, who did not leave 
the site until 1600 after the majority of the crowd had left, 
observed no violence.  Respected local NGO INSEC told us that 
the police had had to break up a minor scuffle between 
pro-Royalists and the demonstrators, but police did not have 
to use tear gas. 
 
2. (C) There had been allegations that the security forces 
would prevent people from entering Kathmandu Valley to 
participate in the rally.  An Embassy contact told us that 
the security forces had set up mobile health clinics along 
the roads leading into the Valley, and thereby might have 
diverted some of the participants. 
 
King's Return Unhindered 
------------------------ 
 
3. (C) The demonstration took place as planned and the crowd 
peacefully dispersed before the King's plane landed. The 
police had roped the site off from the road in order to 
prevent the crowd from spilling into the road. There had been 
an unfounded rumor that the government had restricted the 
site of the protest for fear the demonstration would 
interfere with the King's travel back to the Palace.  Police 
sources confirmed that police had arrested seventeen people 
for throwing stones at the vehicles of the King and the Crown 
Prince as the cars travelled to the airport. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
4. (C) The confluence of the demonstration with the last day 
of the Maoist cease-fire and the King's return to Nepal after 
a three week absence had led to a fear of popular unrest. 
However, the District Administration Office worked to dispel 
rumors that it had restricted the site of the protest or was 
doing anything to interfere with the UML's right to assemble; 
the police acted responsibly; the Maoists extended their 
cease-fire (ref C), and the UML ensured that the 
demonstration was largely peaceful. 
MILLARD