Nepali protests reaching a climax: Diplomats

Nepalese commuters and their vehicles form a queue and inch towards a petrol station in Kathmandu yesterday. The crippling effects of a nationwide strike in Nepal eased slightly with a few more shops opening on the thirteenth day of a mass pro-democracy movement against King Gyanendra. PHOTO: AFP

Anti-monarchy protests persisted in the Nepali capital Kathmandu yesterday despite bad weather as diplomats said the movement against King Gyanendra appeared to be reaching a climax.

It was the 13th day of a general strike and protest campaign launched by a seven-party political alliance, which wants the king to restore multi-party democracy.

Hundreds of people gathered in various parts of the capital and attempted to start a procession, but were prevented by police. No one was injured.

At least five people have been killed and hundreds wounded in police action against protesters during the campaign, which has brought the impoverished nation to a standstill.

Diplomats said time appeared to be running out for the monarch.

"We could see him toppled if he doesn't do something in the next few weeks or days," said one. "I am very afraid we are moving into a revolutionary situation."

The king held talks with the US, Chinese and Indian ambassadors on Sunday, and indicated he could meet some of the protesters' demands. But diplomats said they knew of no specifics.

"He has to hand over power to the political parties," the diplomat said. "And if he does not, it's not looking good."

In another sign of mounting pressure, New Delhi said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was sending a special envoy to Kathmandu on Wednesday.

India's newly-appointed special envoy to Nepal warned yesterday that civil unrest against the monarchy was "spinning out of control" in the Himalayan nation and called for the resumption of talks with political parties.

"We do not want to interfere in the internal affairs of any other country but the situation in Nepal seems to be spinning out of control," said senior diplomat Karan Singh, who was appointed Tuesday and is set to visit Nepal Wednesday.

Karan Singh, a member of parliament and a former ambassador to the United States, was expected to have an audience with King Gyanendra, an Indian Foreign Ministry statement said.

"He is also expected to meet political party leaders in Nepal," it added.

Giant neighbour India has been deeply concerned by the turmoil in Nepal and Singh was expected to strongly urge the king to immediately start talks with the political parties to defuse the crisis, a Foreign Ministry official said.

The president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Haruhiko Kuroda, urged the international community to remain engaged with Nepal and said it would be premature for donors to consider any suspension of aid to the impoverished kingdom.