Political activists from 7 parties arrested in Nepal

Kathmandu, Apr 9: More than four dozen activists of seven parties were arrested today during the anti-King demonstrations being held here in defiance of the curfew imposed to by the authorities.

The demonstrators, defying the 13 hour long day time curfew, chanted anti king slogans and demands for complete democracy in the Himalayan nation, and clashed with the police at various places.

Demonstrations were carried out in various parts of the country and the capital city on the fourth day today.

They destroyed the statue of late king Mahendra, father of the present king in Baglung yesterday, media reports said.

Meanwhile, the night-time curfew has been on for the last four days and the day-time curfew was also imposed two days back to control the huge demonstration of the seven parties alliance.

Lately, the government also issued shoot-at-sight orders for curfew violators, following which one person was shot dead by Royal Nepalese army in Pokhara yesterday.

The seven main political parties had planned a big rally against the king here yesterday but tough security meant that only a handful of small protests could be held.

However, activists broke the curfew today in some places in the capital and set government vehicles on fire and burned tyres on roads.

Earlier, the government announced another day-long curfew in the capital today and mobile phone services remained disrupted in a measure seen aimed at scuttling demonstrations.

''The people will not be cowed down like this. It shows the regime is already defeated,'' said Arjun Narsingh K C, a top leader of the Nepali Congress, the largest political party.

''We will again try to march towards the city centre and protest.

We will continue until we succeed. Our protests will not stop,'' he said.

Security remained tight with soldiers and armed police patrolling the streets and armoured personnel carriers mounted with heavy machine guns stationed at some intersections.

Nepal, which has been battling a bloody Maoist revolt for a decade, was pushed deeper into turmoil after King Gyanendra grabbed power in February 2005, saying political parties had failed to crush the rebellion which has killed thousands.

UNI

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