Nepal: Opposition Activists Continue To Defy Curfe

Maoist leaders Prachand and Baburam Bhattarai overnight announced separate protests to push the general strike, civil disobedience movement and mass demonstrations of the SPA.

Maoists will defy curfew and prohibitory orders and come out on the streets.

They will topple statues of Kings nation-wide and tear down signboards of His Majesty's Government.

The six-point programme says Maoists will and encourage the declaration of a republic.

Maoists will take action against parties helping the government; payment of revenue to government will be discouraged.

The People's Liberation Army will seize highways.

Activists of seven political parties, supported by Maoists, again defied curfew orders in the capital, Lalitpur and Kirtipur and clashed with police Monday.

Dozens were injured as police fired rubber bullets and teargas shells to disperse mobs in pockets in the city.

The biggest late afternoon spring rain and storm sent demonstrators for cover.

Demonstrators attacked the office of NSP, a national party in government.

Maoists said they will attack parties supporting the government as the opposition said they will continue protests indefinitely after a planned four-day strike period ended Sunday.

Local authorities announced curfews in Banepa and Pokhara where violence broke out Sunday.

Clashes and demonstrations erupted in other urban centers as well Monday in the hill and terai districts.

Meanwhile, Radio Nepal said Monday the extended support of Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai overnight for renewed protests of the SPA confirms rebel involvement in the general strike.

RPP leader Padma Sundar Lawati charged Maoists Monday fired on demonstrators in Bharatpur.

RPP (Thapa) Monday demanded action against demonstrators who vandalized the party office in the capital Sunday.

Fifteen demonstrators were arrested in the Valley Monday and 159 persons in the rest of the country, the Home Ministry said.

ENDS

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