Partial victory for anti-monarchist movement in Nepal

Following the Monday night royal proclamation, thousands of people took to the streets of Kathmandu marking the “victory” of people’s rights over “autocracy.”

Submitted by libcom on April 25, 2006

Kantipuronline.com reported that hailing the royal address, rallies were taken out across the nation on Tuesday.

The demonstrators of the rallies, through their slogans, cautioned the seven-party alliance (SPA) leadership not to compromise on the rights of the people in the future. “Up with democracy,” “Down with autocracy,” “Hold election to a constituent assembly,” were among other slogans chanted by the people during the victory rallies.

The people have also demanded that the next government punish all those “culprits, who committed crimes in the name of crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations.”

At least 17 people lost their lives and more than 6,000 were injured, some seriously, during the pro-democracy movement. Several injured are still undergoing treatment at various hospitals across the country, mostly in the capital.

Thousands of people participated in a rally that began from Satdobato, Lalitpur, went through major parts of the capital before converging into a gathering at Kalanki. Another “huge” rally which began from Koteshwor passed through Ring Road.

Rallies with thousands participating were taken out from Gongabu, Kirtipur and various other parts that were much popular during the pro-democracy movement.

People in dozens of vehicles, chanting pro-democracy slogans, passed through major corners of the Kathmandu Valley in the victory rallies.

Reports coming in say that a large number of people participated in victory rallies outside the valley since this morning. People from all walks of life joined today’s rallies throughout the country.

In Morang, rallies were taken out in support of yesterday’s royal address at Biratnagar, Urlabari, Rangeli, Birat Chowk, and Indra Chowk.

Similar rallies were taken out at Lahan in Siraha, Malangawa of Sarlahi, Itahari of Sunsari, Dharan, Sankhuwasabha, Khotang, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga, Taplejung, Damak of Jhapa, Birtamode, Janakpur, Dolakha, Udaypur, Sindhuli, Pokhara, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, Mahendranagar, Lamjung, Manag, Humal, and Jumla, among other districts.

Two demonstrators and a policeman were injured during a clash at Mahendra Chowk, Biratnagar.

In Kavre, a victory rally was taken out at Banepa, with large number of public participation from various villages in the district.

Our Mahendranagar correspondent Chitranga Thapa reports that the police opened one dozen fires into the air to disperse the angry protesters, who attempted to vandalize government offices. Thousands of people supporting King’s address took out a rally at Mahendranagar.

Comments