Nepal pro-monarchy party seeks to restore king
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KATHMANDU , FEB 19 - Supporters of Nepal's deposed king announced Friday they will call a general strike in the capital next week to demand a referendum on the reinstatement of the monarchy and the country's status as a Hindu state.
National Democratic Party Nepal, the only political party that openly supports the deposed monarchy, said it plans to shut down Katmandu on Monday to press its demand.
Political parties often call general strikes in Nepal to show their influence. Party supporters generally force shops and schools to close and vehicles to leave the streets. Those who defy are often beaten up and their vehicles set on fire.
This is the first time, however, that National Democratic Party Nepal will attempt a general strike.
Chandra Bahadur Gurung, a party lawmaker, said they would hold a demonstration on Sunday and shut down the capital the following day. Gurung said they also plan to blockade Singhadurbar, a compound housing the prime minister's office and several important government ministries, on Tuesday.
Gurung said they want a referendum held so the people can decide whether the monarchy should be restored and the country declared a Hindu state before a new constitution is finalized later this year.
The communist-dominated Constituent Assembly voted in May 2008 to abolish the centuries-old monarchy and declare Nepal a republic and a secular state.
The nation was officially Hindu under the monarchy.
Posted on: 2010-02-19 02:58
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