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### Nepal capital is under new curfew By Agencies ( Monday, April 10, 2006) The Nepalese government has imposed a curfew on the capital, Kathmandu, for the third consecutive day in an attempt to try to halt widespread protests. Three people have died in the two days of unrest, as thousands of demonstrators defied earlier curfews. Both Maoist rebels and opposition political parties have said they will intensify their campaigns. The protesters want the end of the direct rule imposed by King Gyanendra 15 months ago. Monday's curfew will run from 1100 - 1800 (0515 - 1215GMT), a shorter period than on Saturday and Sunday, according to Radio Nepal. The lateness of the announcement and the shorter hours suggest the government may be nervous about demonstrations, says the BBC's Charles Haviland in Kathmandu. But it also seems keen to try to lessen the anger which has been evident among demonstrators in recent days, he adds. In an e-mail statement signed by their top two leaders, Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai, the Maoists said they backed the nationwide strike. "We... announce we will join the general strike," it said. The rebels said they would take control of the country's roads and destroy all royal statues. All sign boards saying "His Majesty's Government" would be removed and action would be taken against those paying taxes to the royal government, it added. Some 13,000 people have died since the Maoist insurgency began and new attacks left at least five people dead on Friday. The rebels announced a ceasefire in and around the capital, Kathmandu, during the strike. Home Minister Kamal Thapa told reporters the government had been "restrained even during the curfew". "We will get stricter now to preserve law and order and keep the situation normal," he said. Hundreds of opposition figures and activists have been arrested since Friday, according to police officials. The king took power 14 months ago, accusing political parties of failing to quell a Maoist insurgency. The seven main political parties said on Sunday they were extending the strike indefinitely. Protesters defied curfew orders and battled riot police at several points around Kathmandu, attacking government property and setting up barricades of burning tyres.

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