At least 10,000 pro-democracy protesters defied heavily armed Nepalese security forces on May 23 to support a seven-party alliance's call for the complete restoration of democracy by jamming the central Kathmandu market of Ason. The protesters, carrying party flags and banners, chanted slogans demanding an end to the February 1 coup by King Gyanendra. They demanded the restoration of parliamentary government and civil liberties, as well as the immediate release of all political prisoners. Many of the peaceful but militant protesters ignored the government warning issued on May 21 against any “anti-royal slogan shouting”, and called for an end to the monarchy. Pro-democracy demonstrations were held across the country including in the population centres of Jabalpur, Pokhara, Biratnagar and Hetauda. The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), the second largest parliamentary party in Nepal, reported that 12 of its members were injured in Hetauda after a police attack and that about 20 demonstrators had been arrested.

From Green Left Weekly, June 1, 2005.
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