Nepal crackdown before massive protest rally
Thousands of troops fanned out across the Nepalese capital Katmandu today to enforce a curfew aimed at derailing opposition plans for a massive rally to protest the king’s seizure of absolute power nearly a year ago.
About 15,000 army soldiers and policemen patrolled the streets of Katmandu and the suburb of Lalitpur to enforce the 8am to 6pm curfew. The city was nearly deserted after an initial burst of activity as residents rushed to buy groceries and drive to work before the curfew began.
