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Defiant Nepalis Return to the Streets BINAJ GURUBACHARYA, Associated Press | April 21 2006 KATMANDU, Nepal - Tens
of thousands of pro-democracy protesters were back on Nepal's streets
Friday, defiantly marching toward the spot outside the capital where
security forces shot and killed three demonstrators a day earlier. An Associated Press photographer saw at least 50,000 protesters marching from the Gangabu area northeast of the capital Friday, while local news reports said tens of thousands more demonstrated in the Kirtipur area to the south. All headed toward the Kalanki area on Katmandu's western edge where police fired on protesters Thursday, killing at least three people and wounding dozens more. Some 10,000 protesters were already in Kalanki. A large red and white message painted on the pavement read "Martyrs' square, long live the martyrs." Just beyond the protesters were police trucks and armored military vehicles. "Long live democracy! The blood of the martyrs will not go to waste," the protesters chanted, waving political party flags. A large number of police and soldiers were posted along the main road surrounding the capital, but there were no reports of clashes. Soldiers guarded deserted streets in Katmandu's center. On Thursday, nearly two dozen demonstrations were held around the capital, bringing as many as 100,000 people into the streets. Security forces responded by firing on the crowds with tear gas, rubber bullets and finally live ammunition. More than two weeks of often violent protests and a general strike against palace rule have paralyzed the Himalayan country, leaving it at its most volatile since Gyanendra seized absolute power 14 months ago. As tensions mounted, an Indian envoy who met with the king Thursday said he expected an important announcement Friday that could defuse the situation. "It is our hope and expectation that perhaps by the end of the day some major announcement will be made," Karan Singh told reporters after briefing Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his visit to Nepal. "We are hoping that there will be some major step toward reinstating democracy." Diplomats said Thursday that palace officials had indicated the king might make some concessions — possibly appointing a prime minister or reinstating parliament. The diplomats spoke on the condition of anonymity, fearing public comments would compromise their ability to work with the government. Government notices issued early Friday said the 9 a.m.-8 p.m. curfew must be observed in Katmandu, its suburbs of Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, and in the resort town of Pokhara, 125 miles west of the capital. The notices warned people to stay indoors or else risk being shot. The government said the curfew was imposed "to protect the people, property and peace." Katmandu residents rushed to buy food and supplies before it began. A protester who was wounded during Thursday's clashes died in the hospital on Friday, becoming the 14th person killed by security forces since opposition parties launched the strike on April 6. He was among 26 people shot during a protest in Gulariya, 300 miles southwest of Katmandu. A Defense Ministry statement said security forces had to fire on the crowds because the protests were getting out of control. The statement said 13 policemen were wounded in clashes with protesters who vandalized government offices and tried but failed to set them on fire. At the Model Hospital, where many of the wounded protesters were taken, doctors wore black bands to protest the shootings. "It was terrible," said Dr. Sarita Pandey. He said 66 wounded people, eight in critical condition, were brought in Thursday. The injured included a 10-year-old boy with a gunshot wound and 5-year-old beaten by police, he said. Nepal's Hindu royal dynasty was once revered as godlike, and the recent chants of "Hang the King" are a major departure from past protests, like the 1990 uprising that led the king's older brother to introduce democracy. Gyanendra ended that experiment last year, saying he needed to crush a communist insurgency. ---------------------------------------------------
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