Nepal Ends Curfew Restrictions, Lifts Ban on Demonstrations

[shugah]

Nepal Ends Curfew Restrictions, Lifts Ban on Demonstrations

Jan. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Nepal's government ended nighttime curfew restrictions in and around the capital, Kathmandu, and lifted a ban on demonstrations in the city imposed to prevent rallies calling for the lifting of emergency rule.

The restrictions prevented the opposition alliance of seven political parties from holding a demonstration Jan. 20 after the government extended the curfew to daylight hours for that day. More than 10,000 people protested in Kathmandu a day later.

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The alliance of opposition parties reached an agreement with rebels in November on restoring democracy and reducing the powers of the king.

King Gyanendra is ruling the country of 27 million people through a 12-member Council of Ministers. The U.S., United Nations and neighboring India have led calls for an end to emergency restrictions that curb political activity and the media.

Nepal depends on tourists to support its economy. The country, located between India and China, is home to Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, and eight other of the world's 14 peaks higher than 8,000 meters (26,248 feet).

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