Nepal: Protests continue in Pokhara and other cities as of Oct. 29 over high-profile cooperative bank fraud case hearing /update 2

Supporters of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) continue to stage rallies in multiple cities as of Oct. 29. They will gather from 12:00 Oct. 29 outside the prime ministerial residence in the Baluwatar area of Kathmandu. Previous notable rallies have occurred in Kathmandu's Maitighar Mandala area, as well as the Zero Kilometer junction, Prithvi Chowk, and Shahid Chowk intersections in Pokhara City since Oct. 21. The action is to express solidarity with detained RSP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Rabi Lamichhane, who is facing trial over a cooperative bank fraud at the Kaski District Court. Several hundred people typically join the events, with the largest participation in Bagmati and Gandaki provinces. Counterprotests by victims of bank fraud are possible. Further related gatherings are probable in the coming weeks.

Authorities are deploying additional personnel to protest sites and imposing security cordons around the Kaski District Court building as a precaution. Demonstrators will probably march along or block roadways, prompting localized transport disruptions. Routes leading to the Pokhara International Airport (PKR) are especially prone to delays and heightened security deployment. Security personnel have used tear gas, batons, and water cannons to disperse earlier gatherings; similar use of force remains likely. Clashes between rival groups are possible, especially during protests in proximity.