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Nepalese Capital Placed Under Curfew

On Thursday, an 18-hour curfew went into effect in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, ahead of a major demonstration planned by the opposition. Thursday`s pro-democracy rally, planned in defiance of a ban on public meetings, was set to mark the start of the third week of nationwide marches and strikes.

Ten people had already been killed at rallies by government troops during two weeks of protests calling for an end to King Gyanendra`s rule by the time the declaration of the curfew was made. Authorities refused to allow exemptions to the curfew, saying that anyone violating the curfew would be "shot on sight".

There were reports that the security was tight and streets mostly deserted. Soldiers were seen pushing back the few people who have ventured out of their homes. A few groups of tourists escorted by police have left for the airport to catch flights. In previous curfews over the past two weeks, passes were issued to tourist, press, diplomatic and emergency vehicles.