Fresh clashes in Kathmandu

POLICE fired rubber bullets at anti-monarchy protesters as clashes erupted yesterday in Nepal’s capital, where many residents spent most daylight hours cooped up at home on the third day of a government curfew.

Police also fired tear gas and beat protesters with batons to break up rallies in several Kathmandu neighbourhoods, but no major injuries were reported. The demonstrators demand King Gyanendra relinquish control over government.

The Himalayan nation’s long-simmering crisis has deepened in recent days, with mobs rampaging in different cities. A crackdown by security forces has killed three protesters and some 800 have been arrested, mostly without charge.