Widespread protests erupt against Nepal’s King Gyanendra

In the capital of Kathmandu, protesters, chanting “democracy, democracy, down with the autocracy”, set up barricades with bricks and burning tyres. Police attacked the crowds with batons and tear gas then fired on protesters, first with rubber bullets then live rounds. A Nepal Red Cross volunteer told the New York Times that at least 90 people were injured in the Gongobu section of the city.

Police also fired on a rally of about 10,000 in the western city of Pokhara, injuring two people. Three people have been killed so far in six days of protests, including one who was shot dead by soldiers in Pokhara on Saturday. More than 2,300 people, including senior political leaders, have been arrested across the country since the protests began last week.

A Home Ministry statement announced that police and soldiers would begin a search of houses across Kathmandu, claiming that Maoist guerrillas were infiltrating the pro-democracy protests. “The security forces are searching for these terrorists for which there will be a massive search of private homes,” it declared.

A general strike is also in force and drawing in wider layers, including doctors, engineers, lawyers, journalists and teachers. Yesterday employees from the country’s state-owned banks and utilities walked off the job. “We will not cooperate with the government,” a spokesman told the New York Times.

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http://wsws.org/articles/2006/apr2006/nepa-a12.shtml