Security officers stops “Visit Nepal” rally in Sydney

Sydney- Rally organised to “launch” Visit Nepal Year 2020 have stopped by the Security personnel in Sydney City which was lead by Nepalese tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai.

The organisers had no permission from authorities to march a rally. The rally was being led by Nepalese tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai, Nepalese ambassador to Australia Mahesh Raj Dahal, Consul General of Nepal in NSW Deepak Khadka and Consul General of Nepal in Victoria Chandra Yonzon.

Events Planning Unit of the NSW Police had explicitly asked the organisers not to conduct the “procession for a number of reasons” including the fact that the event was “promotional and for commercial gain” which was “not in keeping with the legislation regarding a right to protest”.

Police said thatthe huge size of the participants had “blocked access for pedestrians”.

Dila Kharel, Sydney-based accountant and former treasurer of Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Australia, was tasked by organisers to secure permission from the police and other relevant authorities.

He claims he informed the organisers about the disapproval and they had no plans to conduct the rally as such.

“Participants were disappointed when they saw the parade being stopped by the security personnel. They blamed the organisers for the mismanagement,” Mr Humagain said.

There have been some protest from the community about the timing of the VNY promotional activities at a time when Australia is reeling under the worst bushfire emergency in history.