Heading For A Showdown in Nepal

BBC News, Kathmandu

March 29, 2006

By Sushil Sharma

Nepal's long-running political crisis is poised to deepen with the prospect of a major showdown between King Gyanendra and an anti-king opposition alliance.

The government headed by the monarch has vowed to foil a joint opposition rally due to be held in Kathmandu next week.

The government has stepped up security ahead of the protests on grounds of what it says is credible information about a possible Maoist infiltration.

The authorities said Maoist rebels, whom the government has branded as terrorists, planned to incite violence.

In a separate statement, the home ministry has urged the people living outside of Kathmandu to avoid travelling to the capital next week unless it is essential.

The seven-party alliance has declared a four-day general strike from 6 April to protest at King Gyanendra's seizure of direct powers last year.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4856092.stm