A young man dressed in commando-style black gear caught attention during Sunday evening’s Gen-Z protest at Maitighar. His arrival on a DRK motorcycle, with a black T-shirt, pants, boots, protective jacket, cap, sunglasses, and a covered face, initially led some protesters to suspect he was a member of the security forces.

It soon became clear, however, that there was no cause for alarm. The man, 21-year-old Jenish Maharjan, was not a soldier but a volunteer from Hami Nepal, an organization that deployed around 40 volunteers to support the protest.

Maharjan’s tasks included distributing placards, handing out pamphlets, providing water, and assisting with ambulance and health coordination. He also carried a walkie-talkie as part of his duties.

According to Hami Nepal president Sudan Gurung, the military-style gear had been given to Maharjan after he asked the army about acquiring such a uniform. Gurung confirmed that Maharjan was acting entirely in a volunteer capacity.

The initial confusion over his appearance quickly cleared once his role was confirmed. Still, the incident underscored how easily military-style clothing can create misunderstandings in sensitive protest settings.