Even lawyers (link has weird first page) are protesting in the streets in Katmandhu against King Gyanendra; and are being wounded and arrested during the protests. There is much more on this story here, from the International Herald Tribune via the AP. Reuters begins its story with headlines that call the demonstrations "mostly peaceful", but continues on with more information about the lawyers' demonstration. It also includes a bit about a demonstration in Pokhara.
Thousands of people marched in the western tourist resort town of Pokhara in memory of one activist shot dead by troops during a protest last week.
"My son-in-law gave his life for democracy. His sacrifice should not go waste," Uma Devi Poudel, the victim's mother-in-law, told the assembly as she tried to hold back her tears, a witness said.
The Nepalese people want justice and democracy in their country. '"We want a democratic republic where people make policies, people make laws and people are the rulers," said Mukta Shreshta, a woman activist, as nearly 3,000 people cheered her in the Kathmandu suburb of Kirtipur.'(Reuters) King Gyanendra, especially since he shut down the rest of the government last year, seems to be a stumbling block in moving in that direction. Because of the King's actions, "The (pro-Maoist) rebels and the seven political parties formed a loose alliance last November under which the Maoists are backing the latest anti-king campaign." (again, Reuters)
The UN has asked the Nepalese government "to stop its "excessive use of force" against pro-democracy demonstrators, including severe beatings, indiscriminate attacks on bystanders and "seriously unacceptable" detention conditions." (from the Times of India (4/13/06)
In my post of 4/9/06 "Protests in Nepal are significant", I gave my opinion on the situation. I will continue to update this continuing story as it goes on.
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