Nepal imposes curfew, cuts phones before protest

KATHMANDU, Apr 8: Nepal's royalist government imposed a day curfew in the capital Kathmandu and its neighbouring areas today and some mobile phone services were disrupted, hours before a rally against King Gyanendra's rule.

The curfew would be in place for 11 hours from 10 am 0945 hrs IST and violators could be shot at, the government said in a statement.

Residents said some mobile phone and Internet services were disrupted ahead of a rally planned by Nepal's seven main political parties to pressure the king to step down and restore democracy after 14 months of absolute rule.

Reuters