RIOT police yesterday arrested more than 500 demonstrators in Nepal who were chanting slogans against the king and demanding the restoration of democracy.
Hundreds of police moved in to arrest the protesters, including a former minister and four former members of parliament.
Nicolas Howen, secretary general of the International Commission of Jurists, said violence against supporters of democracy was intensifying in the country and called on the United Nations to condemn Nepal for violating human rights.
Rights groups said that prior to yesterday’s rally more than 600 activists, journalists, lawyers and students had been detained while carrying out peaceful activities since King Gyanendra declared a state of emergency and suspended civil liberties on 1 February.
Meanwhile, the government said its soldiers had killed at least 50 Maoist rebels after the guerrillas attacked an army base. The army said nine soldiers were wounded, three critically.