10,000 take to streets in protest over Nepal's king

THOMAS BELL AND BINAJ GURUBACHARYA IN KATHMANDU

UP to 10,000 people marched through the streets of Kathmandu yesterday chanting "We want democracy" and "Down with autocracy", in the biggest demonstrations since King Gyanendra seized power in February.

In two rallies, demonstrators carried placards and shouted pro-democracy slogans, taking advantage of reduced restrictions after the king ended a state of emergency. But the marchers avoided the city centre where demonstrations are still banned.

Gopalman Shrestha, of the Nepali Congress Democratic party, said: "We will continue to protest against the king until full democracy is restored. We have teamed up with other parties and are working on a joint strategy to fight the king’s direct rule."

The government said the emergency was lifted because security had improved in Nepal. "Our security forces have been successful in controlling the insurgency in just three months and people are feeling secure," said the information minister, Tanka Dhakal, on state radio.

King Gyanendra seized power and imposed the state of emergency on 1 February, saying that 14 years of democracy had led to widespread corruption and allowed a Maoist rebellion that has cost over 11,000 lives to spread unchallenged.

Hundreds of political opponents arrested under the emergency remain in custody. Mobile phones are banned and the press is heavily censored.

The media are forbidden from criticising the government or printing news that may "damage the morale" of the security forces. Radio news is banned, including the BBC, which was formerly relayed locally on FM.

On Saturday, several student activists - between three and five, according to differing reports - were shot and wounded by soldiers during a meeting in Mahendranagar, 400 miles west of Kathmandu.

An army spokesman said the soldiers had been searching for Maoist rebels, but conceded that none had in fact been present.

The surprise lifting of the state of emergency followed Gyanendra’s return on Friday from a tour of international meetings in Asian capitals where the United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan told him to "return to constitutional rule as soon as possible".

Shree Ram Bajagain, a student activist, said: "The king has double standards. He does one thing inside the country and there is another face he shows to foreigners. By withdrawing the state of emergency he is acting for the benefit of the international community to save himself from all sorts of pressure."

However, many in Kathmandu approve of the greater order that the king’s rule has brought to the city. Sita Pariyar, 24, who works as a housekeeper, praised the king’s pursuit of corrupt politicians.

"All the ministers are angry, but the king’s doing a nice job. I like it," she said. Sphere: Related Content