Sunday, July 24, 2005

30 injured in Nepal clash

Kathmandu, July 24.(PTI): At least 30 people, including two ex-ministers, were injured here today as riot police baton-charged protestors demanding release of former Nepalese prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba from detention, party sources and police said.

Some 500 Deuba supporters, including his Nepali Congress (Democratic) leaders and students chanting anti-King slogans and waving party flags demonstrated at Pulchowk in Kathmandu, in front of the Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) that is trying the former prime minister.

Police baton-charged the demonstrators as they blocked the road, raising slogans like 'Release our leader, scrap the illegal Commission' and 'We want a republic'.

The protestors also pelted stones at the police, injuring several of them, an official said.

Those injured in the lathicharge included former ministers Homnath Dahal and Prakash Sharan Mahat, NC (Democratic) spokesman Minendra Rijal said.

Two student leaders were also seriously injured during the clash.

The demonstrators were demanding the release of Deuba and former minister Prakash Man Singh, who are facing trial under detention of the RCCC for alleged financial irregularities in connection with an ADB-funded drinking water project.

However, the final hearing of the case could not take place today as expected and next hearing is slated for tomorrow.

Deuba says the commission is illegal and has refused to cooperate with it." Sphere: Related Content

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