KATHMANDU: Tens of thousands of followers of Nepal's former king attempted to march on the capital to demand the return of the monarchy and the country's prior status as a Hindu state, but were stopped by riot police using batons and tear gas.
The demonstrators assembled on the outskirts of Kathmandu and made an attempt to make their way into the city centre while holding the national flag and shouting chants in support of the former king, Gyanendra. They were blocked by riot police who used water cannons, tear gas and bamboo batons to beat them. Both teams had some minor injuries.
Authorities had banned protests in key areas of the city prior to the rally.
“We love our king and country more than our lives. Bring back the monarchy. Abolish the republic,” the crowd chanted.
Supporters of the former king came to Kathmandu from all over the country to demand the return of the monarchy that was abolished in 2008. They accused the government and political parties of corruption and failed governance.
Weeks of street protests in 2006 forced then-King Gyanendra to abandon his authoritarian rule and introduce democracy.
Two years later, a newly elected parliament voted to abolish the monarchy and declared Nepal a republic with a president as head of state.