King Gyanendra under pressure to hand over power

Kathmandu, Apr 21: King Gyanendra, who seized power from elected government and ruled the country through the security forces, is under heavy pressure to hand over power to the people through the revival of House of Representatives and hold the election of constituent assembly.

''Revival of the House and election to the constituent assembly are the bottomline to hold talks with the king,'' said spokesman of the Nepali Congress Krishna Sitaula.

Tens of thousands of people have taken to street demanding the end of monarchy, which has ruled the country for over 235 years, besides international pressure from India and the US.

Republic has become the popular slogans, which was only limited to the Maoists until the King grabbed power and suspended civil liberties and curtailed press freedom.

The seven major political parties including the Nepali Congress and the CPN, UML have demanded the revival of House of Representatives and form an interim government including the Maoists and go for the election of constituent assembly to decide the fate of monarchy.

People chanting anti-King slogans in the state capital and other parts of the country have been warning the leaders against any compromise with the king.

''We want complete democracy and finalise the movement forever,'' said student leaders Gagan Thapa and Rajendra Rai addressing the mass during the time of imposition of curfew in Kathmandu.

''Our grandfathers fought to establish democracy, our fathers also struggled for it and we are also fighting for the same and if the king remains as it is our sons and grandsons will have to struggle like this,' they said.

The capital has been witnessing curfew for the last two weeks.

Dr Karan Singh, special envoy of Indian Prime Minister, met the King yesterday and conveyed India's message to immediately restore democracy and hold talks with the leaders of the major political parties.

US has said that the King should ''assume a more ceremonial role'' to restore democracy.

International human rights groups including the Amnesty have called for targeted sanctions to King Gyanendra, his senior political officials and top security officers.

UNI

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