Nepalis describe protest chaos
Violent clashes between police and anti-monarchy protesters are continuing across Nepal as thousands of people defy the curfew.

The BBC News website spoke to people outside the capital, Kathmandu, to find out how the situation was unfolding around the country.

SATISH SHARMA, 25, STUDENT, TAULIHAWA

Our home town of Taulihawa was attacked by Maoists last Friday night. We saw them come from all directions in 30 vehicles, women and children included.

Their motive was to destroy the district barracks where all the security forces live.

They destroyed about five government offices, with guns and bombs. We saw the battle but they didn't aim once at civilians - which shows their greatness.

But the Maoists were overpowered in the end by the security forces.

I'm not a political activist or a Maoist. But I don't support the king. I don't want monarchy in our country. If the monarchy continues, the political instability continues forever.

Protests have been going on here daily. On Tuesday security forces were shooting bullets in the sky. But this did not discourage the morale of the protesters. I was out there too.

Everyone was passionate about what they wanted. I have never seen such a huge gathering in my home town. Even people who didn't participate were giving us their moral support. I hope that a change will come soon.

SABIN TIMALSENA, 17, POKHARA

We have seen real violence in Pokhara. Despite this, the protests are continuing. There are a lot of people out in the streets.

The police shot a man in the head the other day and I believe this is just one example of their indiscriminate use of force. He has now been declared a martyr.

Several other people have also been injured, including my neighbour who was shot in the shoulder.

In the surrounding villages, there have been rallies. The movement is powerful in these places. The government has a lot control in areas like that.

This time it is different - it is not just the activists who are out on the streets but the university professors and other professionals too.

We want to overthrow the king.

All I want is peace in the country. There has to be an agreement between the king, the political parties and the Maoists. But it is not just the parties, which are protesting. The Nepalese people are making a stand.

SANDEEP JALAN, 22, BUSINESSMAN, BIRGANJ

Compared to the rest of the country, things are quiet here. Everything is shut.

We are on a border town, just five minutes from India, so we are not as badly affected by the violence and shortage of supplies. Nevertheless, there is some action here too.

A group of protesters burned tyres on the road and they were chased by policemen and beaten. There are riots too, people throwing stones at the police.

But life has come to a standstill. Professors have been giving out assignments over email because all educational institutions have shut down.

I would like to see the political parties come to a compromise. The king has to step down. Everybody is sick of this. How much longer will it all go on?

GANESH KUMAR REGMI, 35, NEPALGANJ

Everything is closed.

Everyday on the streets there are demonstrations against autocracy. People are demanding fully-fledged democracy in this country.

| We saw people being hit with the butts of policemen's guns

The difference this time is every section of civil society is involved. As the regional co-ordinator of a human rights organisation in Nepal, I have been closely monitoring the situation in Nepalganj and around.

Demonstrations are still going on in nearby towns. Just yesterday the army intervened and there were injuries and clashes even after the rally had ended. We saw people being hit with the butts of policemen's guns.

We visited some of the injured who were getting treatment at a hospital and they were in a sorry state. As the days go on, I become increasingly convinced that civil and political rights are in danger.

At some point the authorities have to listen to the people. They are saying they want the end of autocratic rule. They want sovereignty handed to them.