Dozens of people were injured when monarchists clashed with pro-democracy protesters in the Nepali capital Friday, as Maoist rebels extended their cease-fire across the kingdom by a month.
Tens of thousands of people took to the street in Kathmandu, chanting anti-royal slogans and waving communist flags in protests timed to coincide with the return of King Gyanendra from overseas.
"Down with the king, down with autocracy, long live democracy," the protestors shouted.
Maoist rebels said earlier Friday they had extend their cease-fire after joining political efforts to restore democracy in Nepal following a power grab in February by King Gyanendra.