New protest in Nepal over delay in clipping king

Kathmandu, May 16: Hundreds of Nepalis took to the streets of the capital today, burning tyres, uprooting pavement barriers and blocking roads as they protested against a delay in plans to curtail the king's powers.

The demonstrations came a day after the country's new, multi-party government deferred tabling a landmark resolution in parliament to check King Gyanendra's powers, saying it needed to expand cabinet and debate the move there first.

The government, formed last month after weeks of often violent demonstrations against the king, urged calm and assured people that the resolution would now be tabled on Thursday.

The protesters came in buses to various places around the capital and used the vehicles to block roads, witnesses said.

They shouted slogans against the king and the political parties, burned tyres on roads and uprooted metal barriers separating pavements from roads. Four vehicles were also damaged in the rotests.

Dozens of protesters also gathered outside the secretariat which houses parliament and the prime minister's office.

''Down with monarchy'', ''Gyanendra thief, leave the country'', ''Down with corrupt leaders'', the demonstrators shouted.

''I don't think these leaders are capable of doing this,'' said Govinda Rayamajhi, one of the protesters, referring to the special proclamation that needs to be approved by parliament.

''This protest is to put pressure on them. We have to continue to fight to win our rights,'' he said.

Cutting the king's powers was a key demand of pro-democracy protesters during weeks of demonstrations last month which led to King Gyanendra reinstating parliament and handing the administration to a multi-party government.

The proclamation is expected to wrest control of the army from the king and give it to parliament.

The administration would no longer be known as ''His Majesty's Government'' and the king's key advisory body, the Raj Parishad or Privy Council, is likely to be abolished.

Besides, the draft aims to tax the king's income and property and allow his actions to be challenged in court.

Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula urged calm.

''The government will present it (proclamation) on Thursday. We are committed to presenting it to parliament. The delay was just to complete some procedures which will be done today or tomorrow,'' he told a news conference.

''All seven parties are unanimous about presenting that proposal,'' he said referring to Nepal's main parties which led the mass campaign against the king.

REUTERS

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