Kathmandu, May 29 -- Nepali royalists on Thursday launched a new phase of protest for the restoration of monarchy, which saw hundreds of people chant slogans on the street on the first day.

In defence of the republic, a new political system adopted in 2008 in Nepal, the ruling CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal--Unified Marxist Leninist) also held a counterprotest in the streets of Kathmandu in defence of the republic.

The ruling party, led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, organised a march in Kathmandu on Republic Day, entitled "Republic Mahotsav."

"The public became the rulers from this day onwards, following this pursuit, the CPN-UML today is marking the Republic Day as 'utsav' (grand celebration). The party, as well as I personally ...