Nepalese rebels vow more anti-monarchy action

New clashes erupted in and around Nepal’s capital Kathmandu today between anti-monarchy protesters and security forces.

The Himalayan nation’s long-simmering crisis has deepened after the latest rounds of pro-democracy protests against the king sparked violence last week, with a crackdown by security forces leaving three protesters dead and some 800 arrested, mostly without charge.

Protesters clashed with police in the capital’s Kalanki and Dhumbarahi neighbourhoods, with police firing tear gas and beating protesters, according to organisers.

The royal government warned of harsher measures and imposed curfew and shoot-on-sight orders, but that didn’t prevent thousands of people from taking to the streets to demand that democracy be restored.

Home Minister Kamal Thapa said four of the arrested protesters were wanted rebels, and cartridges had been discovered at protest sites. But the seven-party opposition rejected the allegation, saying their agitation was peaceful.