NEPAL: Protests demanding the restoration of democracy continued across Nepal for a 13th day yesterday, with security forces firing on anti-monarchy demonstrators as a general strike emptied roads, closed schools and cut supplies of food and petrol to the capital.
Defiance of royal rule has spread quickly through society. Yesterday 25 civil servants from the home ministry left their desks to chant anti-king slogans in a government courtyard, before police rounded them up and took them to a detention centre.
The growing sense of outrage has seen judges, doctors and even families of soldiers take to the streets.
Protesters yesterday played a cat-and-mouse game with armed police. In the suburbs of Kathmandu people were fired upon for breaking an all-day curfew. Human rights activists say nine protesters have died so far, hundreds have been injured and many more arrested.
Tomorrow sees another big demonstration, which has been planned for a location a few kilometres from the royal palace.
"People are ready to take to the streets. They no longer care about the bullets.
"It is a matter of who governs Nepal," said Sushil Pyakurel, a former Nepali human rights commissioner.
There has been anger at the rising prices of essential commodities. A kilo of salt has quintupled in price to 50 Nepali rupees (60 cent) in Kathmandu, where yesterday trucks and buses with supplies arrived, escorted by military vehicles.
This was one success for King Gyanendra, who, since seizing absolute power in February 2005, has faced the most serious challenge to the 237-year-old monarchy in the past few days.
Determined to crush a Maoist rebellion, which has cost 13,000 lives in 10 years, the monarch snubbed political parties and curbed civil liberties.
But revolutionaries and politicians drew together, with the biggest political parties and the Maoists entering into an understanding in November, committing to multiparty democracy.
Although politicians called the strike, the rebels have ensured its success. The Maoists have observed a ceasefire in Kathmandu Valley to help peaceful protests and western diplomats have begun to shift position, acknowledging Maoists' need "to be reintegrated" into a democratic system.
Despite the violence, analysts said the king was not facing a "checkmate".
CK Lal, a political writer, said: "It is like chess and ... the king still has moves ... for example, lifting the repressive laws, freeing high-profile prisoners, removing the infrastructure of autocracy.
"We clearly have some way to go."