Wednesday, February 02, 2005

Nepal is shut off from the world as King seizes power in 'coup'

Armoured military vehicles with mounted machineguns patrolled the streets of Kathmandu. Former government leaders were placed under house arrest, communications were cut and almost all international flights cancelled.
Sher Bahadur Deuba, the deposed Prime Minister, denounced the King’s actions as a coup, accusing him of exploiting the intensifying Maoist insurgency to snatch power in a violation of the constitution.
It is the second time in three years that King Gyanendra has dismissed his Government. “It is an anti-democratic step and we strongly denounce this act,” Mr Deuba said in a statement to journalists who gathered outside his house after soldiers surrounded it and prevented anyone from entering. “This step has thrown the country into a grave crisis.” KING Gyanendra threw Nepal into political crisis yesterday when he sacked the Government, declared a state of emergency and took over control of the country.

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