Putting The Nepalese Kingdom Together Again

Saturday proved to be the most violent so far in the 3rd day of a nationwide bandha (strike) called by the 7-Party Alliance to restore democracy in Nepal.

In the lakeside resort of Pokhara, where the King is residing in his Summer Palace, one person was killed and three were wounded by the Security Forces as demonstrators took to the streets shouting anti-monarchy slogans and demanding the restoration of democracy.

More than 100,000 demonstrators clashed with Security Forces in the south of the country around Chitwan National Park, Janakpur, Biratnagar, and in smaller cities in the region.

In Chitwan most Government Offices were occupied or burned and until reinforcements could be sent the area was declared “Nepal’s first Republic.”

Three were wounded as thousands rioted in the southern town of Bharatpur burning government buildings and forcing Security Forces to retreat from the town center.

In the southwest town of Batwal, Security Forces and the Maoist insurgents fought a raging overnight battle that left at least 13 dead.

Even with the mass rally postponed by the 7-Party Alliance until Sunday, pro-Democracy demonstrators defied the “shoot-to-kill curfew” in the Kathmandu Valley and threw stones, burned tires and clashed with Army and Police. The municipalities of Patan and Kirtipur saw fierce resistance to the Security Forces and have declared “security free zones.”

With the “shoot-to-kill curfew” extended into Sunday from 7:00 A.M. till 8:00. P.M. and from 10:00 P.M. until 3:00 A.M., Security Forces dressed in riot gear at each corner and lining the main avenues, the streets of Kathmandu are empty of vehicles except those taking tourists to and from the airport. The press has been warned not to defy the curfew and not to take pictures or drive press vehicles.

As Security Forces continue to arrest Party activists, human rights advocates, and members of the press, the Capital of Kathmandu is eerily quiet.

Today, Sunday, there is a mass rally scheduled for the Capital and demonstrations continue in the Kathmandu Valley municipalities.

Pro-Democracy forces brace for continued attacks by the Police and Army(RNA) as the support for a Republic and the end to the monarchy spreads throughout the Kingdom.

D.Michael Van De Veer-Freelance Journalist
Contributor to UnitedWeBlog-Voice of Democratic Nepal,,
& Pacifica’s Free Speech Radio News
Member: SAJA (South Asian Journalist Association)
Host: OUT OF THE BOX KKCR-FM www.kkcr.org

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