Anti-King protests continue, 150 wounded

Kathmandu, Apr 22 (UNI) Protestors demanding a return to democracy kept up the pressure on Nepal's King Gyanendra as they edged closer to the royal palace, while the seven party alliance and the Maoists contemptously spurned the Monarch's offer.

Pro-democracy crowds, numbering upto 100,000, crossed the ring-road into parts of Kathmandu placed under curfew and advanced to almost a km of the Narayanhity place. However, the leaderless masses were stopped by riot police, who lobbed tear gas shells at them. Over 150 people were injured and are being treated at various hospitals in Kathmandu, sources said.

Meanwhile, the seven-party alliance, at a meeting at veteran politician G P Koirala's house at Maharajganj turned down the King's offer of democracy made yesterday night, saying it did not meet their ''road-map'' for a return to democracy in the Himalayan Kingdom.

A statement issued by the Maoists also termed the King's offer as ''fraud'' and '' one not befitting the people'' who were struggling for their democratic rights.

Authorities had swung into action to deter today's protest.

Curfew from 1200 hrs to 1800 hrs was imposed at short notice and mobile networks shut down, after authorities reportedly intercepted messages asking people to march on the royal palace.

Minendra Rijal, spokesman for the seven-party alliance, said that this ''peaceful movement'' will continue till their main demands -- reinstatement of parliament, appointment of an all-party interim government by Parliament, and announcement of formation of a constituent Assembly to solve the maoists problem are agreed to.

However, with the King and the political parties not holding face to face parleys, members of the diplomatic corps --particularly the ambassadors of India, the US and the EU countries -- are playing the role of facilitators in the process. Sources said that the international community had, by and large, supported the King's announcements yesterday and urged the political parties to respond appropriately.

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