2,000 arrested in violent Nepal protest
Nepalese police arrested more than 2,000 protesters and beat others with batons during a violent rally in the capital Kathmandu today.
More than 80 people were injured in clashes with police, and several policemen were also wounded when protesters retaliated by throwing rocks.
The demonstration, which had been called to protest against the king and demand the restoration of democracy, turned violent after police arrested Girija Prasad Koirala, president of the Nepali Congress party, and Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of United Marxist Leninist Communist Party of Nepal.
They lead Nepal’s two largest political parties and have been joined by three smaller parties in organising almost daily protests against the king since last month.
The two leaders were arrested as they were about leave their homes in Kathmandu, ahead of the planned rally.
King Gyanendra dissolved parliament, assumed executive powers and appointed a new government in October 2002 after sacking his prime minister, whom he accused of incompetence and failing to end a Maoist insurgency.
