CINA

The Guardian, 1.20

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1691217,00.html

An alliance of seven opposition parties has vowed to go on with pro-democracy protests, although it was unclear if today's planned demonstration in Kathmandu would go ahead.

Thousands of people had been expected at the rally to demand that democracy be reinstated and to protest at the king's seizure of absolute power last February after sacking an interim government.

But the king's regime imposed an indefinite ban on rallies, and imposed an 8am (0400 GMT) to 6pm curfew today, on top of a previously imposed night-time curfew, which starts at 9pm.

At least five prominent opposition politicians were put under house arrest yesterday and, according to human rights groups, at least 78 opposition supporters were arrested in a city-wide police sweep.

Early today the city and its suburbs were deserted after an initial burst of activity as residents rushed to buy groceries and drive to work before the curfew began. There were no reports of demonstrations.

Internet, mobile and landline phone communications were cut off between Kathmandu and the outside world yesterday, although landlines and internet communications were later reconnected.

Foreign governments, including the UK and US, condemned Nepal's efforts to stifle the protests and impose house arrests.

Regime officials claimed the crackdown was to maintain order and that the rally must be prevented because there was information that communist rebels planned to use the event to stage attacks.  

The Himalayan state, sandwiched between India and China, is the scene of a decade-old conflict between Maoist guerrillas and the state, which has claimed more than 12,000 lives. Although there was a brief lull in the violence for four months under a Maoist ceasefire, the fighting has resumed.

A top government official at the command centre in Kathmandu - who refused to be identified - said troops were guarding strategic areas and would ensure there were no "disturbances". The home minister, Kamal Thapa, said: "We have to protect the people and maintain peace and tranquillity."

One opposition leader under house arrest, the general secretary of the Communist party, Madhav Kumar Nepal, said he was told he could not leave his home for 90 days and that he could receive no visitors.

Speaking to a reporter by telephone, he said: "We will continue our struggle against the regime despite all these attempt to quash peaceful protests."

Another detained politician, Khadga Prasad Oli, a deputy leader of the Communist party, said: "The government imposing a curfew and restrictions shows that it is panicking."

Also placed under house arrest were Girija Prasad Koirala, the Nepali Congress party president and a former prime minister; Bharat Mohan Adhikari, another Communist party deputy leader; and Narayan Man Bijuchche, of the Nepal Workers and Peasants' party.

The US state department in Washington called on the king to release the activists. "These arrests and harassment of peaceful democratic forces is a violation of their civil and political rights."

Last week, 150,000 people led by pro-democracy activists gathered in a south-west Nepal town in the largest political rally since last February. While seizing power last year, King Gyanendra accused the previous administration of failing to fight corruption or contain the communist insurgency.

GEFONT(General Federation of Trade Unions) published this 1.19:

New wave of Extreme Suppression in Nepal begins:
GEFONT Chairman and Secretary General Arrested