Kathmandu begins fifth day under curfew
Nepal’s capital began its fifth consecutive day under curfew today, as opposition parties planned a massive rally to demand an end to King Gyanendra’s rule and a new constitution.
The 11am-6pm curfew imposed in Kathmandu and Lalitpur, a major suburb of the city, follows nearly three weeks of demonstrations in which police and anti-monarchy protesters have frequently clashed in the capital.
Opposition parties said they planned only small gatherings today, ahead of a massive protest set to take place the next day on the ring road that circles Kathmandu. An opposition alliance statement issued yesterday said hundreds of thousands of supporters were expected to attend Tuesday’s rally.
The ring road has drawn gatherings of more than 100,000 protesters since the alliance – backed by the Himalayan kingdom’s communist rebels – launched a general strike on April 6, even though the road falls within the curfew zone.
Clashes there between police and protesters yesterday left at least three protesters injured. Security forces have killed at least 14 protesters since the strike began against Gyanendra, who seized power 14 months ago.
Protesters who tried to cross the road on the eastern edge of Kathmandu on Sunday were beaten back by police who first fired tear gas, then rubber bullets, independent Kantipur television reported.
Doctors at a hospital said they treated three people injured by rubber bullets.
Small groups protested inside the city as soldiers patrolled in armoured personnel carriers and strung barbed wire to block off some inner alleys and major junctions.
Nearly 250 protesters were wounded in violent clashes with security forces on Saturday when they came within half a mile of the royal palace.
Protests across the Himalayan country have intensified since Friday, when Gyanendra offered to allow the alliance of seven opposition parties to nominate a prime minister and form a government.
Opposition leaders and the communist rebels say the king’s offer to resolve the crisis fell short of a key demand – the return of parliament and creation of a special assembly to write a new constitution that could limit – or even eliminate – the monarchy.
