Protest In Kathmandu against King's statement

Kathmandu, Feb 20 (UNI) Following King Gyanendra's controversial statement, civil society members and student unions of different political parties organised protests here today and demended that Nepal be declared a ''republic.'' Civil society members staged a sit-in in front of Singha Durbar against the King's controversial statement, which said the takeover by him two years ago was a ''compulsion.'' They said the protest will continue until democratic republic system was not established in the country.

Student unions of eight political parties also organised protest rallies across the country.

According to a local radio, protestors vandalised statues of the monarchs, chanting slogans against the monarchy, in many districts.

UNI