1,300 Arrested at Nepal Rally

16/04/2004| IslamWeb

More than 1,300 pro-democracy protesters, including a former Nepalese prime minister, were detained by police yesterday when they shouted slogans against the king in a central Kathmandu park and on nearby streets. Supporters of several political parties waved their party flags and chanted, "Restore democracy! Down with the king!" in Ratna Park, as armed police commandeered trucks and used them to haul away protesters. No violence broke out as more than 1,300 people were detained, while others were left behind or fled into houses and a nearby market. Former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala was among those arrested. "The movement will defeat the autocratic and regressive regime and the people will be the winners ultimately," said former Cabinet minister Ram Sharan Mahat, addressing the crowd in the park. He and other leaders were surrounded by supporters and were able to escape arrest by going into nearby houses or blending into the crowd. Protests have taken place since King Gyanendra dissolved Parliament and fired the prime minister in October 2002, allegedly for incompetence and failing to control a Maoist insurgency. He then assumed executive powers and replaced the government with pro-monarchy politicians. Since the beginning of this year, the rallies have grown bigger and more frequent. Tens of thousands have poured onto the streets of Kathmandu in recent weeks, despite thousands of arrests and clashes with police. Last week, the government issued a blanket ban on protests. Most demonstrators detained are released within a few hours, though some have been held under the Public Security Act, which allows them to remain in custody for up to three months. Without explanation, police detained yesterday 72 teachers administering examinations to students at a school near the park. They also arrested 20 human rights activists staging a sit-in elsewhere in the city. "We oppose the regressive king's takeover and support the movement of the political parties' to restore democracy," said Krishna Pahadi, chairman of the Human Rights and Peace Society, just before police arrested him. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Civilian car in the flames during the protest.