Nepal imposes curfew in capital

[RawMaterials]

The authorities in Nepal have imposed an all-day curfew in the capital, Kathmandu, as activists prepare for a rally on the third day of a strike.

The curfew will be in force for 11 hours from 1000 (0415GMT) and violators risk being shot at, officials said.

Some mobile phone networks have also been cut, as protesters prepare for more demonstrations against King Gyanendra's rule.

He has been widely criticised for seizing absolute power 14 months ago.

On Friday, at least 150 anti-government protesters were arrested in Kathmandu.

Police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse demonstrators, who hurled stones and set fire to a post office.

The crowds shouted that the king was a thief and should leave the country, the BBC's Charles Haviland in Kathmandu reports.

Clashes also were reported in several other towns of the kingdom.




http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4890290.stm

[David__77]

1. Solidarity to the people of Nepal!

Hopefully they can depose their feudal king and lay claim to their country finally.

[NVMojo]

2. Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) -

Protesters demanding a return to democracy postponed a rally that had been expected to draw thousands on Saturday, after the king imposed an all-day curfew and ordered violators shot on sight.

Khadga Prasad Oli, deputy leader of the Communist Party of Nepal, called the curfew "unnecessary, illegal and illogical" and said the protesters would try to hold the rally on Sunday.

Seven main political parties organized the rally as the high point of a four-day general strike that has shut down the capital Katmandu, where King Gyanendra's refusal to give up absolute rule has led to growing unrest.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/w-asia/2006/apr/07/040700966.html

[David in Canada]

3. About Nepal's King

King Gyanendra assumed the role of monarch when most of the royal family was killed by the then-Crown Prince, Prince Dipendra in June 2001.

While almost the entire family was there (and subsequentially massacred) he was touring around Nepal with his family. This has lead many Nepalese to suspect that the royal family was massacred by the guards on Gyanendra's orders in a type of coup d'etat.

Last year, he dumped all democratic governance as guaranteed under the 1990 Constitution and assumed the role of absolute monarch. This is similar to the "self coup" that then Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori did in 1992 to seize absolute power.

Gyanendra has since become increasingly despotic and is loathed by most people in Nepal. This sudden draconian move suggests that he is in deep fear and that his reign of terror is collapsing.

Remember Marcos in 1986, Ceausescu in 1989 and Milosevic in 2000. All resorted to similar tactics before being forced from power.

[Eugene]

4. BBC: Protester killed in Nepal rally (and Kathmandu rally planned Sunday)

Last Updated: Saturday, 8 April 2006, 11:02 GMT 12:02 UK

Protester killed in Nepal rally

A protester against King Gyanendra's absolute rule in Nepal has been shot dead
in the west of the country while the capital Kathmandu is under curfew.

The man was killed during a rally in the resort town of Pokhara.

<snip>

The dead man was named by Nepalese newspaper The Himalayan Times as Bhimsen
Dahal, aged 32.

<snip>

Opposition leaders now say they plan to hold the rally on Sunday. having earlier vowed
to go ahead on Saturday despite the curfew.

<snip>

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4890290.stm