Nepal plunged into Democracy Day blackout

The royal government plunged Nepal into a communications blackout today – its traditional Democracy Day - cutting phone service to thwart opposition activists trying to organise the first nationwide protests against the king’s seizure of power this month.

King Gyanendra said in a message to the nation that he seized power only to save the country’s democracy from communist rebels and corrupt politicians, while his government’s forces boosted security throughout the Himalayan country.