NEPAl: Thousands attend anti-king unity rally in Nepal before bomb blast wounds eight after the gathering ends

Record ID: 212814

  • Title: NEPAl: Thousands attend anti-king unity rally in Nepal before bomb blast wounds eight after the gathering ends
  • Date: 15th January 2008
  • Summary: (W4)KATHMANDU, NEPAL (JANUARY 14, 2008) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF RALLIES WITH COLOURFUL FLAGS PEOPLE ON BRIDGE WATCHING THE RALLY VARIOUS OF RALLIES PEOPLE GATHER AT MASS MEETING VENUE VARIOUS OF PARTY LEADERS VARIOUS OF SENIOR PARTY LEADERS WAIVING HANDS FROM DIAS GENERAL VIEW OF THE MASS MEETING (SOUNDBITE) (Nepali) NEPALI OF SHYAM SUNDER GUPTA, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY,COMMERCE AND SUPPLIES SAYING: "If the Madheshis' problems are not being addressed the outcome we envisaged will be incomplete." (SOUNDBITE) (Nepali) MAOIST CHAIRMAN PRACHANDA SAYING "The rally is a commitment and a declaration for a new Nepal and for a federal republican Nepal after the polls." CHEERING CROWD GENERAL VIEW OF THE MASS MEETING (SOUNDBITE) (Nepali) MADHAB NEPAL, SECRETARY GENERAL OF CPN (UML) SAYING: "The people who believe in people's democracy, they cherish the election, they enjoy and feel happy with the chance of going to the people." (SOUNDBITE) (Nepali) FORMER PRIME MINISTER SHER BAHADUR DEUBA OF NEPALI CONGRESS SAYING: "With the firm determination of the constituent assembly election will be held on April 12, he (Prime Minister) is fully assured that it will usher the new golden sunrise. And because of that firm determination he has deputed me to convey his best wishes." 14 . GENERAL VIEW
  • Embargoed: 30th January 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nepal
  • Country: Nepal
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAC3XL9WWHX0UL4Q2DWSVMTF1DZ
  • Story Text: Thousands of supporters of Nepal's ruling alliance marched through Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, in a rare display of unity in the fractious coalition against the Hindu monarchy. Eight people are wounded when a bomb explodes after the rally ends.
    Thousands of supporters of Nepal's seven-party ruling alliance, including Maoist former rebels, marched through Kathmandu on Monday (January 14).
    It was a rare display of unity in the fractious coalition against the Hindu monarchy.
    The rally, held in a playground in the heart of the capital, less than 500 metres (yards) from King Gyanendra's sprawling palace, came three days after the government set national elections for April 10.
    Eight were wounded when a bomb blast hit a vehicle near the venue of the rally minutes after the demonstrators, including Maoist former rebels, had dispersed, police said.
    There were no claims of responsibility. Six of the wounded were sent home after treatment in hospital, authorities said.
    The government blamed the blast on what it said were "elements opposed to the constituent assembly elections" in April but did not elaborate.
    The polls are meant to elect a constituent assembly to map the nation's political future and formalise a recent parliament decision to abolish the monarchy after the vote.
    Originally, the assembly was meant to decide the fate of the monarchy -- a question now settled in a political deal with the former rebels who wanted its immediate abolition.
    That body will also replace the interim parliament.
    Prachanda, chief of the once-feared Maoists, told the estimated 30,000 crowd that "The rally is a commitment and a declaration for a new Nepal and for a federal republican Nepal after the polls."
    CPN (UML) secretary-general Madhab Nepal said: "The people who believe in people's democracy, they cherish the election, they enjoy and feel happy with the chance of going to the people."
    Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress said Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala was fully assured that the elections "will usher the new golden sunrise".
    Koirala, 83, who was earlier expected to address the meeting, kept away because of fever and symptoms of chest and throat infection, organisers said.
    The vote was last set for November 22 but was delayed because of a deadlock with the Maoists who wanted the king to be kicked out of office before the polls.
    Analysts say ethnic tensions in the southern Terai plains are a challenge.
    Scores of people were killed last year in ethnic violence and in clashes or local disputes between dozens of rebel as well as marginalised groups seeking regional autonomy and more inclusive elections.
    The turmoil cast a shadow over a 2006 peace deal with the Maoists that ended their decade-long civil war which killed more than 13,000 people.
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