The Hindu : International : 120 held as protests sweep Nepal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 29, 2005

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International

120 held as protests sweep Nepal

KATHMANDU, MARCH 28. Police on Monday arrested about 120 anti-government activists across Nepal as they defied a ban on protests to show their anger at last month's seizure of power by the King.

In a daring defiance of the ban on demonstrations against the King and the royal government, many of the protesters marched outside the capital's Central Secretariat, which houses the Prime Minister's Office and several Ministries and government offices.

``Down with autocracy. We want democracy,'' the demonstrators said as they threw fliers in the streets urging people to join their movement.

They arrived in a public bus, quickly pulled out party flags and raised anti-government slogans, surprising the police. They were able to block traffic for a few minutes before being dragged away by the police, loaded into vans and taken away.

Nearly 50 persons were arrested in front of the government offices in Kathmandu and another 72 persons were detained in demonstrations in nine other cities in what Nepal's banned political parties described as a nationwide protest.

Protesters charged

Officials said the protesters in Kathmandu were detained at the police station and charged with violating government orders.

It was the first time since King Gyanendra's February 1 takeover and suspension of civil liberties that protesters have been able to demonstrate so close to the main government offices.

In taking absolute power and declaring a state of emergency, the King said he needed to defeat an escalating anti-monarchy communist insurgency and root out endemic corruption among politicians.

Since the King's power grab, many politicians have been detained or driven underground. The new monarchist government has released some Opposition figures in recent weeks. Sporadic rallies to demand the return of democracy have failed to attract large numbers and have been quickly broken up by police.

Still, the main political parties vowed to hold nationwide protests on April 8 to mark the 15th anniversary of mass pro-democracy demonstrations that ended autocratic rule by Kings.

``We are working on strategies to bring out the mass protest next week. It will be joint rallies organised by the five major political parties,'' said Kashinath Adhikari of the Communist Party of Nepal, the second largest party.

Pakistan's aid offer

The Government has been under pressure from the international community to lift the state of emergency and restore civil liberties.

Britain and India have suspended military aid while the U.S. has said it is considering stopping aid that Nepal needs to fight the militants.

However, a Pakistani official hinted on Monday that his nation could offer military assistance to Nepal.

The Pakistani Junior Minister for Economic Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, said Pakistan had pledged $5 millions in economic assistance to Nepal.

``The whole thing is for industrial procurement but it can possibly cover arms and ammunition,'' Mr. Khar told reporters on arrival in Kathmandu on Monday.

``It is up to Nepalese Government to decide.'' — AP

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