Nepal shuts down as Maoists target King

The country was shut down in a national strike called by political parties to protest against the dictatorial King Gyanendra. The streets of Kathmandu were deserted. Protesters attacked vehicles. Visitors could venture out of hotels only in special buses with banners reading "Tourists only". The bazaars of Thamel were empty and the shutters closed on shops selling Tibetan devil masks and Tintin T-shirts.

The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Nepal, and tourists are fleeing as a showdown looms between the King and protesters demanding he restore democracy. "Thief, Gyanendra! Leave the country!" the demonstrators chanted as they marched in thousands through Kathmandu.

In an absolute monarchy, it was revolutionary. And their words were echoed at similar protests across the country. For the first time, people are talking openly here about replacing the monarchy with a republic. King Gyanendra is reacting with ever more violent measures to suppress protest. The demonstrators who have come out in daily rallies all week have been tear-gassed, doused with water cannons, beaten with batons and now shot at. But still they keep coming.

Police have waded into rallies, beating protesters indiscriminately. The international press corps now covering the rallies is wearing motorcycle helmets to avoid head injuries.

And it is all playing out against the backdrop of the civil war with the Maoist guerrillas who control vast areas of the countryside, a war which has already cost at least 12,000 lives and has just restarted after the Maoists abandoned a unilateral ceasefire. What started out as demonstrations demanding the King restore democracy and give up the autocratic powers he seized a year ago is fast developing into a movement against the monarchy.

Sanu Raja Shakya, a protester, said: "We don't want a monarchy. It's too heavy a burden. It's useless for the country. What room is there for a monarchy in the 21st century?"

The protesters have vowed to boycott municipal elections being held on 8 February, saying they are just a figleaf for the King to claim he is restoring democracy. Yesterday's strike was held in part to prevent candidates filing their papers.

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http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article341272.ece