Durga Prasai Might Have Escaped to India
Kathmandu: It is suspected that Durga Prasai, who escaped from a protest site in Tinkune, has gone to India. On Chaitra 15, Prasai had led a protest in Tinkune under the campaign “Save the Nation, Nationality, Religion, Culture, and Citizens.” A group led by Navaraj Subedi, which supports the return of the monarchy, also joined the protest. Subedi is now under house arrest at his residence in Gaurighat.
Police are searching for Prasai, accusing him of engaging in unlawful activities during the protest. He is under investigation for crimes against the state and organized crime. After the protest turned violent, Prasai left the scene in a Scorpio vehicle with plate number BAB–4208 and has not been found since. Three police units are involved in the search.
According to an officer involved in the investigation, Prasai is suspected to have gone to India. The Scorpio he used was found in Itahari. The driver, Ishwar Bik, told police he dropped Prasai at B&C Medical College in Birtamod, Jhapa.
Prasai first went to Pushkar Khatriwada’s house in Imadol, Lalitpur, where he ate some apples, bananas, and milk before leaving. Officers say he then traveled to Chapagaun and later went towards Jhapa via Banepa. The driver said they crossed through Kakarbhitta, and police believe Prasai entered India from Panitanki.
A police officer said, “We suspect Durga Prasai entered India through Panitanki, and our search is ongoing.”
Security analysis shows that the protest in Tinkune, which was organized to support the return of the former king, turned violent because of Durga Prasai. According to security officials, Prasai himself drove a vehicle in a way that seemed intended to harm police officers, which escalated the violence.
The violent protest resulted in the deaths of two people — Sabin Maharjan from Kirtipur Municipality-4, and journalist Suresh Rajak. Police have arrested 67 people involved in the protest and are investigating them under charges of criminal activities and crimes against the state, said Kathmandu District Police Chief SP Apil Bohora.