INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 23Riot police used batons and tear gas to halt tens of thousands
of supporters of Nepal's former king who attempted to march to the center of the capital on Thursday to demand the restoration of the
monarchy and the nation's former status as a Hindu state.
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The protesters, waving the
national flag and chanting slogans supporting former King Gyanendra, gathered on the edge of Kathmandu and attempted to move toward the
Riot police blocked them, beating them with bamboo batons and firing tear gas and a water cannon
There were minor injuries on both sides.Authorities had banned protests in key areas of the city prior to the rally.
"We
love our king and country more than our lives
Abolish the republic," the crowd chanted.Supporters of the former king came to Kathmandu from all over the country to demand the return of
the monarchy that was abolished in 2008
They accused the government and political parties of corruption and failed governance.Weeks of street protests in 2006 forced then-King
Gyanendra to abandon his authoritarian rule and introduce democracy.Two years later, a newly elected parliament voted to abolish the
monarchy and declared Nepal a republic with a president as head of state.Since then, Gyanendra has been living as a private citizen with no
power or state protection
He still has some support among the people but little chance of returning to power.The demonstrators also demanded that Nepal be turned back
The Himalayan nation was declared a secular state in 2007 by an interim constitution.
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com
