Calls Grow for Review of Crowd-Control Practices Following Fatal Protest Shootings in Nepal

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Calls Grow for Review of Crowd-Control Practices Following Fatal Protest Shootings in Nepal

Calls Grow for Review of Crowd-Control Practices Following Fatal Protest Shootings in Nepal

Ganesh Khatiwada 2026-07-27 11:49:00

Kathmandu, Nepal - Public concern over the use of lethal force by security personnel during public demonstrations has intensified following recent incidents in which protesters were killed or injured by gunfire, prompting renewed calls for reforms in Nepal's crowd-control policies, police training, and accountability mechanisms.
The debate has resurfaced after comparisons were drawn with large-scale demonstrations in countries such as India and the United States, where, despite prolonged protests involving millions of participants, security responses were largely managed without widespread use of live ammunition.
Critics have questioned whether Nepal's security forces possess adequate training, non-lethal crowd-control equipment, and psychological preparedness to manage volatile demonstrations while minimizing casualties.
Concerns have also been raised over several recent incidents, including the fatal shootings during the Bhadra 23 protests, the killing of a protester in Tinkune on Chaitra 15, and the latest violence in Dewanganj, where multiple protesters reportedly sustained gunshot injuries and one young man, identified as Ashok, died after being shot. These incidents have fuelled public demands for transparent investigations and greater accountability. Official investigations into earlier protest-related shootings have also highlighted concerns regarding the proportional use of force and weaknesses in security planning.
Public commentators and civil society members have suggested that authorities strengthen regular psychological assessments, improve professional training in democratic policing, and expand the availability of non-lethal riot-control measures to reduce the likelihood of fatal outcomes during future demonstrations.
Security experts note that policing protests presents significant operational challenges, particularly when demonstrations become violent. They argue that ensuring public safety requires balancing the constitutional right to peaceful assembly with the responsibility to maintain law and order while adhering to national laws and international human rights standards.
As discussions continue, rights advocates have urged the Government of Nepal, law enforcement agencies, and oversight bodies to carefully review existing protocols governing the use of force, enhance transparency in investigations, and reinforce public trust in the country's security institutions.
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