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Tens of thousands defy curfew orders in the capital

Tens of thousands of people have defied the curfew orders on Thursday in the capital and organized demonstrations against the government.

According to reports, thousands of people took our rally in Kalanki. Likewise thousands of demonstrators also took out to the streets outside the Ring Road area.

Security personnel have barred nearly five thousand pro-democracy activists that reached Thankot from Dhading.

Police arrested Keshav Badal from the demonstration on Chabhil. Thousands of people also took to the streets in Bhaktapur.

According to our Nepalnews correspondent on scene, over seven thousand people defied curfew order in Bansbari area and reached the Ring Road chanting anti-government slogans. Police fired teargas to disperse the protestors.

Likewise, demonstrations were held in Shantinagar, Min-Bhawan, Gongabu, Kapal, Naikap and other areas of the capital.

According to leaders of seven political parties, more people are coming to the streets to defy the curfew order imposed by the government.

However, there was no report of violence till 1:00 p.m.

Issuing separate notices, local administrations of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktpur imposed an 18-hour long curfew from 2.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. on Thursday to thwart the demonstration of seven political parties.

"Security forces could shoot violators or police could arrest them and jail them up to one month," the notices said.

Pro-democracy activists defied similar curfew orders in the capital from April 8 to 11, during the general strike called by the seven political parties. nepalnews.com pb Apr 20 06