Thousands demand end of Nepal monarchy in protest in capital

Thousands of protesters Monday urged the opposition to declare Nepal a republic as party leaders set conditions for talks with King Gyanendra to end nearly a month of demonstrations.

Thousands of protesters Monday urged the opposition to declare Nepal a republic as party leaders set conditions for talks with King Gyanendra to end nearly a month of demonstrations.

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"Declare a republic! Put the king on trial!" some 6,000 demonstrators chanted in downtown Kathmandu, in some of the strongest language used in the daily protests urging a return to democratic rule.

Riot police took about 400 of the protesters away in waiting trucks, witnesses said.

In Birganj in southern Nepal, demonstrators Monday knocked down a statue at the main government office of King Mahendra, the current monarch's father and a champion of direct royal rule, residents said.

Political parties began the protests to demand an all-party government instead of the cabinet appointed by King Gyanendra, who dismissed the elected government in 2002 for "incompetence."

But women's activist Sujata Koirala said protesters were growing increasingly disgruntled with the monarchy as an institution.

"If the king delays correcting his mistakes, things may get out of hand and party leaders won't be able to stop the country from adopting a republic," said Koirala, the daughter of five-time prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, a protest leader.

The pro-royal government on April 8 banned demonstrations in Kathmandu saying they could be infiltrated by Maoist rebels active in the countryside who staunchly oppose monarchy.

The government began relaxing the ban on Friday but demonstrations are still outlawed near the palace and in other sensitive areas.

Officials say about 40 demonstrators remain in custody, with most people released within hours of protests.