Seattle Post-Intelligencer: AP - Asia: Nepal police beat, arrest protesters

Tuesday, September 13, 2005 · Last updated 11:52 a.m. PT

By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

KATMANDU, Nepal -- Riot police wielding bamboo batons beat and arrested hundreds of protesters marching through Katmandu on Tuesday demanding the restoration of democracy in this Himalayan kingdom.

Top opposition leaders were among the 300 people arrested. About three dozen people were hurt, with some suffering head injuries, hospital officials said, when police beat them in an attempt to disperse the crowd of more than 6,000 gathered in the capital.

Police dragged about 300 protesters to police vans and trucks and drove them to detention centers.

The rally, led by top opposition leaders from Nepal's seven largest political parties, moved into the city center despite a government ban on gatherings there. The protesters broke through police lines, chanting slogans against the royal government.

"Down with autocracy! We want democracy! Give back power to the people!" the protesters shouted.

Protesters hurled rocks and bricks, injuring two police officers. One witness said a radio journalist covering the event also was beaten by police.

Protesters demanding the restoration of democracy in this Himalayan nation have held daily rallies in Katmandu over the past week to protest King Gyanendra's seizure of absolute power earlier this year. Tuesday's rally was the largest.

Seven major political parties have vowed to continue protests until the king gives up power and restores democracy.

The monarch said he was compelled to assume power to quell a communist insurgency, which has claimed more than 11,500 lives in nine years, and to end government corruption.

Nepali Congress, the country's largest political party, said its top leaders - including Ram Chandra Poudel, Susil Koirala and Ram Sharan Mahat - were arrested.

The Communist Party of Nepal, the second-largest party, said its leader, Madhav Kumar Nepal, and other top officials were detained.

It was unclear when they would be freed or if they would face criminal charges. Police officials said they were waiting for orders. Sphere: Related Content