Nepali police arrested more than 180 activists, including former ministers, as they rallied across the Himalayan kingdom on Tuesday in the biggest protests since King Gyanendra seized power last month, organisers said. Dissent against the king has been banned since Gyanendra clamped a state of emergency last month, suspending civil liberties and curbing press freedom in the Hindu kingdom wedged between India and China. Authorities have, however, allowed rallies in support of his move.
More than 30 activists were arrested in a busy market in Kathmandu as some 60 slogan-shouting protesters from five political parties emerged from a maze of narrow alleys in the temple-studded capital in small groups shouting against the king's February 1 emergency proclamation.
Riot police with tear gas shells and batons were deployed to block the protests in Kathmandu, where large public protests against Gyanendra's move have not been possible because of a heavy security presence. Small protests have been quickly crushed.
"Down with autocracy. We don't accept absolute monarchy," protesters shouted as pamphlets were showered from rooftops or windows in the busy market-place.