Katmandu, Nepal – Police fired tear gas and beat protesters with batons Wednesday as 7,000 people poured into the center of the Nepalese capital in continuing pro-democracy rallies.
It was the largest demonstration in 11 straight days of protests against King Gyanendra’s direct rule over this Himalayan kingdom.
About 200 people were arrested and at least 20 people reportedly injured as police broke up the rally in Ranta Park, an area in the city that authorities have declared off-limits to protests.
Activists have been holding daily rallies in Katmandu since Sept. 4 to protest Gyanendra’s seizure of power on Feb. 1 – a move the king said he made to end corruption and quell a communist insurgency that has claimed nearly 12,000 lives in nine years.
On Tuesday, police detained 529 pro-democracy demonstrators. Most were released by Wednesday morning, police said.
Police have in recent days used water cannons, tear gas and bamboo batons to break up protests. But thousands have kept taking to the streets.
