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Dozens injured in Nepal stir

Seven-party alliance continues anti-King protests

KATHMANDU: Dozens of persons, including seven journalists, were injured as police baton charged and threw tear gas shells on activists of a seven-party alliance holding an anti-King demonstration in the Nepalese capital for the third consecutive day on Tuesday.

Over 80 demonstrators were also arrested during the three-hour push-and-pull between the riot police and the agitators at New Road, an area restricted for holding rallies and demonstrations, in central Kathmandu, eye witnesses said.

Despite heavy police presence, the demonstrators belonging to the seven agitating parties virtually captured the New Road area for three hours, they said.

Those arrested included Nepali Congres (NC) general secretary Shushil Koirala, NC leader and former Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka and Nepal Communist Party-UML central member Rajendra Shrestha.

Seven journalists were among dozens of people injured as police baton charged and threw tear gas shells on the demonstrators. The scribes were reporting the incident when they received injuries.

A group of scribes later organised a meeting on the middle of New Road condemning the police action targeting journalists who were covering the agitation.

The demonstrators raised anti-King slogans and demanded restoration of civil rights and multiparty democracy.

The seven-party alliance has been demanding full-fledged democracy and denouncing February 1 take over of full powers by King Gyanendra.

Kathmandu sceptical

Expressing scepticism over the ceasefire announced by Maoists, Nepal's Government has said similar proclamations in the past have not paved the way for lasting peace.

``The declaration of a unilateral ceasefire declared by the Maoists a few days ago has drawn the attention of the Government..based on the past experiences, the Government is yet to be assured of such a declaration,'' said a statement issued by Information Minister Tanka Dhakal.

``As per the past experiences, when repeated announcements of the cessation of terrorist activities failed to pave the way for permanent, there is no reason to be assured, he said. Mr. Dhakal said the Government was fully committed to enforce the rules and regulations. — PTI

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