International observers will be watching Nepal closely on Wednesday for any additional use of force by the domestic security forces, two days after they began firing on antigovernment protesters, leaving at least 30 people dead and hundreds injured.
The majority of victims were killed on Monday, after security forces fired live ammunition, rubber bullets and water cannons into crowds of young demonstrators.
Security forces were largely absent during the day on Tuesday. But by early Wednesday morning, Nepali Army soldiers and heavily armed police officers were deployed in the streets of Kathmandu, the country’s capital, encircling groups of protesters and raising fears of another deadly crackdown.
The army said in a statement that it intended to assume responsibility for law and order starting at 10 p.m. Tuesday. It called upon citizens to cease all acts of arson and looting. In formal language, the army’s high command promised that its troops would take to the streets to protect the country’s public and private properties.
The actions of the Nepali security forces have drawn condemnation from human rights groups. The United Nations human rights office said it was “shocked” by the killing of protesters and demanded a prompt investigation. The U.N.’s office in Nepal also warned the authorities that all law enforcement responses must remain “in line with international human rights standards.”
Among the leaders who have resigned since the protests began was the home minister, Ramesh Lekhak, who said he took moral responsibility for Monday’s deadly crackdown.
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