Students and police clash in Nepal's capital on Day two of strike
Canadian Press
Friday, April 07, 2006
A police officer fires his shotgun as opposition party supporters block a road in Katmandu, Nepal, on Friday. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Hundreds of students burned down a post office and hurled stones at police, who tried to beat them back with tear gas in fierce clashes on Kathmandu's narrow streets Friday, the second day of a nationwide opposition strike. The main clashes took place in the Patan neighbourhood where students emerged in waves from alleys, shouting slogans and throwing bricks and stones. They students burned a post office and motorcycle and forced police to retreat. Police in riot gear fired tear gas shells and put out the post office fire. Protesters blocked access to one of he main streets leading to the area with furniture and other heavy objects. Police pushed them aside and stormed in, but the students, in hundreds, outnumbered the police who called for reinforcements. The officers, carrying truncheons and shields, took shelter behind buildings and fired tear gas at the approaching crowds. The clashes broke out after a relatively peaceful day Thursday, when the four-day anti-monarchy strike began, and at least 177 people were arrested according to the home ministry. Protest organizers, however, said 300 people were arrested and were being held without charge, or sent to prison for three months under a tough public safety law. © The Canadian Press 2006

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