Nepal bans protests in the capital

KATHMANDU, Nepal -- Nepal's royalist government yesterday indefinitely banned protests in the capital, two days ahead of a general strike and a series of protests against King Gyanendra's seizure of power.

The ban would come into force today in Kathmandu and the neighboring temple-town of Lalitpur, a government statement said.

The main political parties have planned a four-day nationwide general strike tomorrow and a series of big protests in Kathmandu against the king, who seized power last year.

The government said the ban was necessary to maintain law and order as Maoist rebels could infiltrate the demonstrations and incite violence.

The government move came a day after the Maoists announced an indefinite cease-fire in Kathmandu and its valley to help make the protests successful.

But the government said it did not trust the rebels, who have been fighting to topple the monarchy and establish communist rule in the Himalayan kingdom.

''It is necessary to immediately control [the protests] because they could result in the loss of life and property," it said.

But the political parties said they were undeterred.

''This is an indication of the defeated and distorted mentality of the government," said Arjun Narsingh K.C., a leader of the biggest political party, Nepali Congress.

''We will continue all our declared protest programs despite the ban and any other form of state terrorism and repressive measures," he said.

The seven political parties and the Maoist rebels struck a deal in November to work jointly to end the king's rule.

The Maoists have vowed to support the opposition strike, but political parties say the guerrillas would not join them in their street protests.

Analysts said the royalist government and its critics were heading for a confrontation.

In January, the king's government imposed a curfew, banned protests, and jailed politicians, scuttling a similar anti-king campaign that was expected to draw thousands demanding the restoration of democracy.