The police action coincides with the introduction of a $500 million US assistance bill in parliament, which opponents claim threatens Nepali sovereignty.
On Sunday, hundreds of people demonstrated against a $500 million US assistance award that has divided the government coalition led by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress party. Rubber bullets and tear gas were shot by the police in response to the demonstrations.
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The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement, which was signed in 2017, has been met with criticism, primarily from two of the Communist parties that are members of the government coalition.
Critics of the arrangement believe that the terms of the grant agreement would take precedence over Nepal's laws, so endangering the country's sovereignty. They claim it is part of the United States' Indo-Pacific strategy, which has military components that might involve the deployment of American soldiers in Nepal.
Recently, US officials met with Nepalese authorities to reassure them that the gift is intended solely for the development of the country. The funds will be utilized for the building of electrical transmission lines as well as the rehabilitation of roads in the Himalayan nation.
Demonstrators attempted to shove their way over barbed wire barriers and assaulted riot police with stones. A large number of people were hurt on both sides as a result of police use of bamboo batons, tear gas, and water cannons.
It is yet unclear whether all coalition partners would support the deal in the parliament, despite the fact that they promised to present it there. Prakash Sharan Mahat, spokesperson for the ruling Nepali Congress party, told the AFP news agency that "our attempts will continue to persuade them."
It is claimed that the treaty compromises Nepal's sovereignty by the ruling coalition partners, which include Maoist lawmakers, who are historically seen to be close to China.
Interior Minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki delivered the grant proposal while many members of Parliament raised slogans in opposition to the move in the House of Commons.
Members of the protesting group were prevented from approaching the minister due to a large number of security personnel. A vote on the grant agreement is scheduled to take place when the discussion has concluded, which might take several days. The deadline for ratification is February 28th, 2019.
The discussion was initially scheduled for last Wednesday, but it was postponed as a result of differences among political groups and fights with police in front of the Parliament building.
In separate telephone discussions with Nepali leaders, according to Nepali media, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu urged them to support the MCC treaty by February 28 or Washington will "evaluate its relations with Nepal."
Later, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry Wang Wenbin stated that such development cooperation should be provided "without any strings attached".
At a monthly briefing in Beijing, he said, "We reject coercive diplomacy and acts that promote selfish goals at the expense of Nepal's sovereignty and interests."
According to Washington, the MCC, which was established by the United States Congress in 2004, provides major payments to encourage economic growth and poverty reduction.
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES
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