Nepal protesters defy virus lockdown, clash with riot police

Nepalese protesters defying a government coronavirus lockdown to take part in a religious festival clash with riot police, in Lalitpur, Nepal. A 5-story-high chariot holding a statue of the deity Rato Machindranath was built but parked for months because of government orders not hold the annual festival due to fear over the spread of the coronavirus. The statue is normally pulled around the city for a month. Police officers in riot gear blocked the protesters when they moved the chariot, dousing them with water cannons.

The protesters had gathered in the city of Lalitpur where a 5-story-high chariot holding a statue of the deity Rato Machindranath was built but parked for months because of government orders not hold the annual festival due to fear over the spread of the coronavirus. The statue is normally pulled around the city for a month.

Thousands of protesters defying a government coronavirus lockdown to take part in an religious festival clashed with riot police in Nepal on Thursday, leaving several people injured.

Police officers in riot gear blocked the protesters when they moved the chariot, dousing them with water cannons. Police fired tear gar to disperse the protesters, who in return threw stones at the police.

Nepalese police fire teargas as protesters defying a government coronavirus lockdown to take part in a religious festival clash with them.

People drag a metal frame to create a barricade during a protest. A nationwide lockdown was first imposed in March to stop the spread of the disease, but that was finally lifted in July. However, the number of virus cases kept climbing, prompting the government to impose prohibition orders in districts with the most cases. Travel is still restricted and the airport is allowing only a limited number of international flights since this week. Borders are officially closed and tourists are not allowed to enter Nepal.

The clash continued for hours and spread to the small cobble stone alleys in the city, which is south of the capital, Kathmandu. Nepalese authorities have banned outdoor festivals and religious gatherings since March to stop the spread of coronavirus. Kathmandu and surrounding districts have been on a lockdown since last month that prohibits people from leaving their homes.

A man gets injured during the protest after locals try to pull the chariot of Rato Machhindranath amid the ban on public and religious gatherings to control the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Lalitpur. A nationwide lockdown was first imposed in March to stop the spread of the disease, but that was finally lifted in July.

The festival is a month-long event where the chariot with Rato Machindranath a deity whose statue is made from clay and covered in red paint with eyes wide open is pulled around the city for a month in the belief that it will please gods so they can provide for a generous rainfall, a good harvest and prosperity. It is believed this festival has been held for more than 1,350 years.

A man pours water on a teargas canister during a protest in Lalitpur, Nepal.