Striking monarchists held in Nepal

Officials say police have arrested hundreds of supporters of Nepal's deposed king who were enforcing a general strike demanding a referendum on restoring the monarchy and its status as a Hindu state before the new constitution is written.

Spokesman of the Home Ministry Jayamukunda Khanal said police held more than 200 National Democratic Party Nepal supporters who were forcing vehicles off the streets and closing down shops yesterday.

The leader of the party, Kamal Thapa, said they had reports that more than 600 party supporters had been arrested, and that several were injured in police clashes. Analysts said the royalists were re-asserting themselves.

"They are exploiting the disarray in politics and people's disillusionment with the current rulers," said Kunda Dixit, editor of the weekly Nepali Times.

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