Thousands of demonstrators marched in Kathmandu's main market area, where some threw stones at riot police armed with batons. Police arrested at least 400 protesters as the demonstration turned violent.

The almost-daily protests have continued despite the government's two-week-old ban on group demonstrations.

Nepal's King Gyanendra dismissed the elected government in late 2002 and replaced it with pro-monarchy lawmakers. He said the government had been unable to control a growing Maoist insurgency in Nepal's countryside.

Thousands of protesters and the five largest opposition political parties have demanded the king restore the elected government before the next planned election. The king has promised new elections within the next year.