Tensions escalated at Baneshwor in the Capital on Tuesday after protesters demanding the country be declared a Hindu state tried to enter a prohibited area near the Constituent Assembly building.

Police fired teargas shells and sprayed water cannon at cadres of Hindu Rastra Campaign (HRC) led by Nepali Congress leader Khum Bahadur Khadka in an attempt to disperse them.

 As HRC and Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N) had announced to gherao the Constituent Assembly building, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force had stepped up security since early morning.

The police said that water cannons and teargas shells were used to control the protesters from entering the restricted zone.

Dozens of Hindu supporters including sadhus resorted to the protest demanding to reinstate Nepal as a Hindu state. The protest lasted for three hours.

The RPP-N and HRC are separately launching a series of protests to build pressure on lawmakers for a Hindu state. HRC has been fielding sadhus with saffron-dress chanting hymns during similar protests.

According to RPP-N, resorting to street protests was a compulsion since the major parties failed to address their issue in the constitution draft.

“Millions of people want to see Nepal as a Hindu state.

If parties fail to address this sentiment, it will be hard for them to face the public,” said RPP-N Chairman Kamal Thapa, addressing the protesters.

“We will continue our protests unless our demands are met.”