Protests in Nepal

This item appears on page 19 of the October 2015 issue.

At least 20 people were killed in Nepal in August and September during protests against the proposed final constitution, including four people killed on Sept. 1 by police, who accused the protesters of attacking them with guns and knives. The Nepalese government has worked under an interim constitution since the monarchy was dissolved in 2008. 

Minority groups oppose the border lines drawn for the federal states created by the constitution, believing the new states will leave them marginalized. Hindu groups have also protested, demanding that Nepal become a Hindu state; under the interim constitution, it is secular.