In Nepal, demonstrators who wanted to march to the center of the capital with thousands of people on Thursday clashed with police to demand the restoration of the monarchy in the country and the country's former status as a Hindu state. Riot police used batons and tear gas. This was reported by UNN with reference to AP.
Details
Protesters waving the national flag and chanting slogans in support of former King Gyanendra gathered on the outskirts of Kathmandu and tried to move towards the city center. Public order police blocked them, beating them with bamboo sticks, using tear gas and water cannons. There were minor injuries on both sides, the newspaper noted.
Authorities banned protests in key areas of the city before the rally.
"We love our king and country more than our lives. Return the monarchy. Abolish the republic," the crowd chanted.
Supporters of the former king traveled to Kathmandu from across the country to demand the return of the monarchy, which was abolished in 2008. They accused the government and political parties of corruption and mismanagement.
The demonstrators also demanded that Nepal return to the status of a Hindu state. The Himalayan nation was declared a secular state in 2007 by an interim constitution.
Addendum
Weeks of street protests in 2006 forced then-King Gyanendra to abandon authoritarian rule and introduce democracy.
Two years later, the newly elected parliament voted to abolish the monarchy and declared Nepal a republic with the 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 has little chance of returning to power, the newspaper points out.