Down with Autocracy: Protesters in Baneshor
5:45 pm Update
I am just back from the Baneshor area. People in unprecedented numbers have thronged in the streets. Army’s mini-tanks are plying in the street. People are walking in the streets defying curfew while the security personnel have turned into mere spectators. This is an utter failure of the state and a near-victory of people’s power. King is rumored to address at 7 pm. Every one is curious about what a beleaguered monarch has to say.
At 3:30 pm, around five thousand protesters defied curfew here in Tinkune. These protesters were a part of large mass of around fifty thousand in Baneshor. They arrived from Koteshor area and entered the main road bypassing a police beat in Tinkune. Few army men were stationed near Koteshor. We all Kantipur staffs either reached there or watched from windows, rooftops. It was a peaceful protest. But, leaders like Ram Kumari Jhakri were finding hard to convince the mass. After 10 minutes, another security enforcement arrived. But, as the mass was only chanting slogans, carrying banners and branches of trees, the forerunners were able to divert the mass towards alley leading them to Koteshor.
Here at UP Policlinic, people sprinkled water to the protesters. They looked jovial, were enthusiastic and very disciplined. The leaders were requesting them not to pelt stones. For a while, the area got tense, but it was soon over. Yesterdy’s massacre in Kalanki has given an impetus to fight for their rights. As I write this at 4:30, I can hear protesters wistling, yelling and cheering.
Protesters have lined up from Kalanki to Sanepa in Ring Road. This mass is estimated to be 2 lakhs. Similarly, according to co-blogger Saroj Raj Adhikari, people are stretched from Koteshor to Ekantakuna forming a huge human chain.
Police opened fire at protesters in Gwarko.
Half a dozen tanks are placed surrounding the Narayanhity Royal Palace. What does this mean? King is feeling insecure under his turf. He is trying to prevent the uprising from entering the palace.
Just a little away in Gongabu, the place of massive protest, now some 30 thousand protesters are peacefully marching towards Chabahil. Security force is heavily deployed but they have not yet disrupted. Big logs are placed in the Ring Road (from Gongabu to Kalanki). In Banasthali, where a police beat was demolished yesterday, peaceful protest is going on. In Kalanki, yesterday’s battle field, numerous foreign media have stationed; protesters have taken control of Kalanki. Two motorbikes were damaged by protesters today morning. Security forces are staying in Balkhu side of Ring Road. The protesters are demanding the dead bodies of martyrs whose bodies were taken away by the state.
CURFEW EXTENDED. KATHMANDU PAPERS SHRINK:
As 25- hour-curfew ended today morning at 3am, people heaved a sigh of relief. Today, curfew starts at 9 am and ends at 8 pm. In the streets of Kathmandu, few vehicles are plying. In our office here at Nepal Magazine, (Tinkune, Kathmandu) staffs started arriving from the morning. Meanwhile, today’s Kantipur is only 8 pages (regular it is 12), The Kathmandu Post 4 pages (regular it is 8 pages) that too black-and-white, reminiscent of pre-color era. This is ironical while the king wants to rule in medieval way ie Dark Age.
Even Gorkhapatra is reduced to 4 page from regular 12. But, Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post are only printed in black. The Kalanki massacre has received international coverage. Nepali media too highlighted the police barbarism.
According to co-blogger Tilak Pathak, protests have resumed in Kalanki; people are hurriedly walking towards their home.
United We Blog 
Comments
176 responses to “General Strike Day XVI”
HEADLINE FROM TIMES OF INDIA:
Nepal at war, but King Gyanendra refuses to blink
Indrani Bagchi & Bhaskar Roy
NEW DELHI: A blunt message from India to cede power notwithstanding, Nepal’s embattled ruler Gyanendra on Thursday refused to make any commitment that he would hand over the reins to the seven-party alliance without dictating who heads the government.
All that he agreed to do was to make a statement on the official TV promising restoration of democracy. He refused to offer any details on the form and content of what he has in mind. On the Indian conditionality, too, that he should leave the choice of prime ministership to the pro-democracy alliance, the monarch remained non-committal.
The royal cussedness during the two-hour meeting with India’s special envoy Karan Singh and foreign secretary Shyam Saran even as Kathmandu streets erupted in fury, left India on tenterhooks about the shape of things to come.
Karan Singh and Shyam Saran delivered a blunt message to Gyanendra: he should transfer power to SPA to bring his country back from the brink. This was also the essence of a letter from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the monarch, which was delivered by Karan Singh.
The essential demand by India was that Gyanendra should let parties choose their own leaders rather than being appointed by him; in short, the new government should have full executive powers. The subsequent details of a constituent assembly, polls etc will be worked out by the SPA government, said the Indian roadmap that covers release of political prisoners.
last month and few months back there was riot in Paris. Hardly anyone was killed. People are treated less than animal in Nepal and killed brutally by one who is suppose to protect them.
When is Girija coming out with a statement that from now on two streams of rivers, namely, the river of democracy and the river of republicanism have merged into one. Do it now, before it is too late.
from today I hate to name the word Raja (King). This is the most hated name in the world.
I came to know that there is a statement by the autocratic King at 2 Pm today.Does anybody has anything about it ? People are gathering at different places in Kathmandu including Kalanki, gongabu and Kirtipur.
Hi Layman,
Where did you get the info about the 2 pm statement from?
All these USA and India are playing double standard here. If KG was a communist – they would have already started to erect war crime tribunal for the king – who is using gun to kill his own people. Now pressure needs to be put to international orgs to declare King and his Bharautes war criminals and for derecognizing the King as legitimate ruler. Time has now come to form a Government by people!!!!! We can base our capital in Chitwan or Kapilwastu. I am sure foreign govs will start recognizing this government. Maoists – welcome as long as they come with democratic vision. We can use their army as our army!!! Let’s just do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would recommend some rather neutral guy for President, and some respected political figure for PM. I recommend the following:
Daman Nath Dhungana – President
Madhav Nepal – Prime Minister
Ram Bahadur Thapa (Badal) – Griha and Rakshya
Ram Sharan Mahat – Artha
NeMaKipa ko kohi – Paryatan/Swasthya
Janamorcha ko – kanoon etc
Maobadi ko mahila netri – Culture, Women’s affir etc
….
Banki – other parties, neutral people ….
How is that????
I got a while ago same rumour. I could not confirm. Can any body do it?
i just wish that the king steps down and hands over the power to the pple..this is the onlyway that peace will previal in nepal!if not nepal will be a living hell!!!the maoists are also a huge problem..i dought that they will ever lay their arms down…it is not possible even if the parties say so..cos the grass root level workers of maoists have learnt to steal and rule by the gun!!!in short its the nepali janta who is gonna suffer and not the taukes!
jai nepal
I was informed by my journalist friend. But some say that it is late at night.As you know all conspiracies against the Nepalese are hatched on Fridays late night.
Thanks Layman.
Do not go after that 2 pm halla. Even if that King is on TV we better switch it off. The ball is in our court, not in his court. We need Seven Party News.
maoist are the ONLY winners… only them and nobody else.
people dying
leaders hiding and fueling the fire
king jerking off
and maoists smiling….
nepal is doomed…may peace be the winner…doesnot matter who wins who rules… king, parties, sadly even maoist…. but pray that peace prevails…….
MY REQUEST TO ALL PRAJATANTRA LOVER
LET’S PUT BANNERS ON EVERY SINGLE HOUSE ROOF SAYING ANY OF THESE SLOGANS
“PRAJATANTRA BAHALI GAR”
“NIRANKUSHTANTRA MURDABAAD”
“PRAJATANTRA JINDABAAD”
“SAINIK LAI BARAK FIRTA GHAR”
“DESH DROHI LAI SAJAI DEU”
“RAJA HAMILAI CHAINDAINA”
“LOKTANTRA BAHALI NABHAYE SAMMA ANDOLAN JARI CHHA”
Let’s make above banners and hang from every single house. If you can’t send your family members to andolan atleast you can do this and there is nothing that can stop us. Let’s continue BLACK OUT every evening until LOKTANTRA is restored. WE must tell our leaders that Monarchy cannot be accepted under any circumstances. He will be like cancer that will slowly suck the country.
Please copy this and email to as many people as possible. I have been sending it to many emails. Please you also do this small favor. with everyone’s small favor we will have our rights back in no time.
PRAJATANTRA JINDABAAD!
Hi all bloggers,
We all be enjoying our ultimate freedom soon. everyone will be thrown out from their position whether they are Gyane or his boot lickers.
Somebody in my childhood told me that our Shah dynasty won’t be remain in throne after 11th generation “I think this is the forecast from Gorakh baba ” . I feel so pity on Gyane and his boot lickers…he will be register as a dark spot in Nepal’s History. Not to mention his kaput Paras……. They should be hanged in the middle of People’s Way(Former King’s way)where his father statue is……
well in my view, i feel the king should give up his LAEDEIN DHIPPI…and declare Constitutional Assembly…that is the only right decision to be made.
Personally, i wonder why politics has been made such a childish game here in Nepal, all these 3 so called SHAKTIS are worth a big zero.
we’ve seen the king(anarchy)
we’ve seen the 7 political parties(misused democracy)
we’ve seen the maoists….(anarchy with guns)
????????? ????????
– ???? ?????
?????? ????? ?????????? ???? ???? ???
?????? ????? ???-??? ???? ???? ???
???? ?????, ?????? ???? ?? ???? ???????
????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?????
??????? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ???????
?????????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????
??????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???
?????? ????? ???-??? ???? ???? ???
?????? ???? ???????? ?????? ??? ? ??????
?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ??? ? ??????
?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ? ???? ??????
?????? ?????? ???????? ???? ? ???? ??????
????? ?????? ???? ??????? ????? ???
?????? ????? ???-??? ???? ???? ???
?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ??????????
???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????????
?????? ??? ????? ??????, ?????? ??????????
???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???
?????? ????? ?????????? ?? ???? ???
?????? ?????? ???-??? ???? ???? ???
Thanks for the poem.
How lively, Bhupi had written, as if he was seeing things right now!
There might have been revolt in army!!! The meaning of Tanks around bloody Narayanhiti means that the Army has split!!!!!!
That’s really surprising. Response1 may be right. It might be a coup.
Or it may be our friend the ‘King’ preparing to leave. Making sure there are no last minute complications.
Hey Guys!!! I heard about the 2 AM ROYAL PROCLAMATION… From “Biswasta Sutra” a NC(D) central committe member….so What do you all think????? We cannot accept anything less than Constitution Assembly..If he doesn’t address it he should be chased away..But man i’m sad that just the Indian will works here.. Everyone does anything when INDIA tells them… I Wished we could proclaim REPUBLIC from Tudikhel from a parallel Government…..
actually at kalanki there are are more than 8 dead
but government had given the instruction not to publish the death toll to any media
regards
ncix
There is no News about Maoist in The Media.What they are doing?No major attack?
It is too late on Gyane’s favor. Any thing against him can happen. Army split is one possibility as there are many democratic officers loyal to people. Another possibility is that he may cling to a helicopter and fly away like Marcos did.
Remember Saddam in a hole with a bag of dollar bills?
“No newspaper but Kantipur has been printed in black.”
Don’t give yourself cheap publicity. You probably decided to save money and come up with black and white photocopies. Real cheap shot Kantipur.
Maoist is not going to attack at this time at least. They know the real people power of this movement. They should understand 11 year blood shade didn’t make any result but 11 days real KRANTI going to pack up the King.
So strongest power is people power not a bullet or LATHI. Though without their support this movement is not reached this ultimate level. Therefore they are also keen to real democracy and at least LAL SALAM to them.
Please, somebody approach to senile Krishna P. Bhattarai not to spoil the spirit of Revolution by giving irresponsible comments. Some sensible guy must speak in behalf of him. He was inactive when there was a real need and now he speaks at a time to when nepalese people are close to achieve what they want, “irreversible democracy”
This is the situation which Maoists want to create. They are hiding and may be planning to kick out SPA after gyane’s rule is over. Beware Maoists you see people’s power!!!! Guns do not help beside killing innocent people.
I have goodnews and badnews. The bad news is that, according to Nepal One, F**King is giving his announcement, probably, resignation, this afternoon. The good news is SPA having blackout from 8.00pm to 8.30pm
Whose king ?
One who does not hear people aspiration can’t be called.
There is no king in Nepal . There is killer.
Now killere no longer deserve to be callled king.
Lets not use the term king. It is now symbol for
killer.
Go to hell killer.
Its people who once saved the throne and reinstated king.
Now we are paying heavy price( BLOOD) for that.
We have to make sure that chamchas of killer do not
escape. We will get back blood of our Martyr from them.
No doubt that Gyane is taking his last breath. He will soon be sidelined. On the otherhand,
an important lesson that Maoists must learn from this peaceful movement is that the people’s power is way stronger than the gun power. Nepalese people have almost gained a victory peacefully, in a couple of week (only with flags, banners, eating plates and spoons, brooms, etc) that they could not do with guns and bombs for more than a decade. Hope they have already learned this and that they will come to the mainstream of politics peacefully.
???? ??? ???????? ????? (?????? ?? ?????????)
???? ???????? ????
-????? ???????
????? !
? ?? ????? ???????
???? ?? ??????? ?????? ?
???? ????? ????? ????????
???? ???????
???? ??????? ??????
???? ?????????????? ???
?????? ??? ????? ?????????
??? ???? ?????? ??????? ? ?
??????? ? ???? ?????? ?
????? !
? ?????? ?
???? ? ???????? ???? ??????????
???????? ????? ????
?? ?????????? ??? ????
????? ???? ?????????
???? ?? ??????? ?? ?? ??? ???? ?
?? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? !
? ?????? ?
???? ???? ???????? ? ?? ???????
???? ???? ???? ? ?? ???????? ????
???? ?? ?????? ?????? ? ?? ???????
????? ?? ???? ??|m??????? ? ?????? ???? … ?
? ?????? ????? !
? ?????? ?
???? ??? ???????
?? ? ?????? ???????????? ????? ???? ???????
????????? ?????/???? ?????
???? ???? ???????? ?? ????????? ???? ???????
???? ?????? ???????
?? ? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ???????
???? ?????? ????? ???
?? ? ??????? ????? ???????
????? ! ? ?????? ?
????? !
?? ????? ???????? ??????
?????? ?? ????? ????? ???????
?? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ?
?????? ?? ????? ? ?????????? ?????? ????????
?? ???? ?????? ???? ? ????? ?? ?
?? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ?
?? ?????? ??? ??????????? ?????? ?
? ?????? ????? ! ? ?????? ?
????? !
?????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ?
?????? ???? ?
?????? ???????? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ?
?????? ???? ?
?? ???????? ??????? ????? ?? ?????? ?
?????? ???? ?
???? ?? ???????? ? ?????????? ?? ????? !
? ???? ????????? ???????? ?
? ???? ?????? ????? !
?????? ?
??, ???? ??????? ?????????? ???? ????? ?????
????? ????
?? ??? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ?????
???????? ?????? ??? ? ???? ???? ????? ?? ???? ?????
???? ????? ?????? ???? ???????????
???? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????
???????? ???? ???? ????????? ??? ???? ???? ?????
????? !
?????? ???????? ??????? ??? ????? ??????????
???? ?? ???????? ???? ?????? ???????? ????????
???? ??????????? ???????? ???? ?
???? ????? ????? ?????
???? ?????? ??????? ?????????? ? ????? ???????? ???? ???????
??????? ??????? ??????????
???? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?????
????? !
?? ?????? ?????????? ? ?????? ????????? ??
? ???? ?????????? ??? ????? ?
? ??????? ?????? ????? !
??????? ?????? ?
???? ????? ????? ????????
???? ???????
???? ??????? ??????
???? ?????????????? ???
?????? ??? ????? ?????????
??? ???? ?????? ??????? ? ?
??????? ? ???? ?????? ?
????? ! ? ?????? ?
Do u think maoists are behind the scene or acting props? What I’ve noticed and I’m assured is that more than 50% credit should go to maoists(that means more than half) for the success(which seems inevitable) of this revolution. What if they had not called for a truce, moreover what if they had not allowed villagers to flock towards capital or even the district headquarters? We have measured the power of SPA demos excluding maoists several times which appeared no less than a farce or a ‘tamasha’.
What a touching and time-appropriate poem. Thanks for posting.
I believe its the hope of lasting peace and justic that has inspired the people to take part in the protest
Hello.,
TYO GYANE KO BHASAN KAHILE AAUNCHA?
hey i’ve heard about the possiblity of coup d’e`tat by RNA. What might be the situation if they usurp the power, any ideas?
Yes, Maoists have allowed people to go to peaceful demonstrations. This is Maoit’s compulsion also. They could not conquer Kathmandu as Prachanda and Baburam have said many times.
The difference is that people have come to the streets at their own will whereas in Maoist’s functions they used to be compelled to.
Is it April one today? Where the heck you hear about the coup?
Forgive me if i am out of track, but i think this is the time to voice this issue.
Last month i were in a social night out with my friends from my office for one of our friends graduation celebration. Late night we went to a local club to celebrate, and what i notice that few youngsters at the club were colleting money in the name of ‘AID FOR THE THIRD WORLD’. I ask what is this for and where will you send this? One of them reply me, this is for those who dont have access to water and food, in countries like africa, philipines, she did not speak out Nepal. But as the world has given an unwanted name to us, i told i am from the third world, what will you do with this money, the collector is not happy to talk with me anymore. Is this a correct way of reacting? she herself was not satisfied what she was doing that was my conclusion.
anyone from from the first world can comment in it. i really need your view how u think, wht you think,…..
After that at counter, one of my collegue put change in one of the basket and sarcatistically smile at me. I found it offensive and left the place without words. More, I silently protest.
At this moment what runs in my mind is that is there anyone from the said first world who dare to collect funds for the people who are starving for the freedom and has bullets in their body.
we dont need aid for food and water but we need a favorable circumstances where we can work for food and water.
i hope someone can understand the inner meaning of people’s voice.
Stop supporting the government who orders to shot their civilians, stop salauting those who dares to kill who aims to fly………….
A poem for LOKtantra
Nation lies in his wonderful eyes
with sons dying mothers crying
and no one to believe his lies
seems he sees happiness where he looks
like nevergone through sorrows of millions
even in papers and books
his people starving in the hills
when he has to never mind about paying tax and the bills
Others struggling for existance
even when working from dusk to dawn
in the harsh rains and in hot sunshine
When handful of them think its all their since ages
and lie in revolving chairs with bottles of wine
A small group with flower in their hand
and he may think that he’s in everyones heart and mind
All this fire and rage
is this his misconduct or result of his misperception?
Whatever it may be
to do all this does he think this is the stone age??
Cut off of technology instead of going ahead
Alas! we’re following the system that has centuries before failed
Most lies his fault some lie our
Why didn’t we throw this system before?
Hey leaders do you think you’re the all in all of your party
It lies your inefficiency for the failure of multiparty
The towered poverty, lack of education and remainings of inequality
Wasn’t overcoming this and paving path of progress your responsibility?
gone is gone time has come for us to unite
To lay down our arms and rage forgetting the past
All of you say what you do is for the people’s sake
Will you keep in mind their wills now for Nation’s sake!
All the people’s will was peaceful reconcilation
For stability and to lead social and economic transformation
The road blocked by instability and tyranny
To improve this we must be ready even to die
But we can not be slaves in our own land
By chains of discrimination, poverty and prevalance of chaos
For redefining the future and neverending peace lets join our hand
Either physically if not mentally we’re prepared to break the chain
There lie the clouds of new age in the sky prepared for the rain
Who makes decision are the people and not some men
Here comes the time to end the bloodshed between brothers
when the regime is such, about the people it never bothers
Lets not wait for others to solve our problem
We are the ones so lets never divide to let them interfare us
Down with autocracy!! What we care of is country not a mere man
What we care is progress, liberty and freedom and other things are damn
Down with feudalism, gloominess and irresponsible monarchy
Thumbs up for upcoming enlightenment and total democracy
The darkness is fading with arrival of dawn
Poverty, discrimination, we shall settle them when ‘day’ comes with education
Doctors, civil society, farmers, officials and even security personnels
All the people lets all stand up before our country fails
We MUST do what we can from our place whatever so called government tells
No option for us except disobidience and a revolution
Now lets all be one for change as we’re the Nation!!
maoists are the game…..
the silence of maoists is no politics its a simple war tactics…. why should they bother when anarchy is already there in the country…..they will strike once the anarchy is concluded or comes somewhere near conclusion….
the king is at fault for his my way or high wat attitude except for that i see politically the king is just a sacrifical goat in the game of dirty politics in which he took part which i still believe with the right intention, which he should not have as it shows now…
Hope today is the day that Gyane is leaving for good.
Republic of Nepal Jindabaad
Star News made this rumour of King giving Statement.Indian Ambassador met King today for 2 hrs.
well we don’t need 1st of april to be a fool. anyways, I heard a rumor that some armies in the significant posts are getting rebellion, can’t verify it though. I will try to get more on this.
sorry to tell but that comment by “replytoall” is ridiculous. what KG thinks is that he is fighting war against terror, which is indeed war against truth, a bitter truth which he cant hear or as though now he cant handle. Mind it, Maoists are in act of war against king, not in act of terror or act of crime.
Yes right i heard there will be a speech from the King at 5.
Mukharjee is managing constiuttional monarchy plus democacy a la 2046. Nothing will change.
Maoists will claim virtual victory. Back to zero. Meaning less revolution with 15,000 dead.
The Kathmandu revolution yet again proved to be enough.
The verdict is people have unknowingly helped the maoists to come to power. The future is still bleak. They have finally got what they desired to acheive.
Fighting with RNA will not lead them to victory, they knew it. This is a swift exit for the maoists. nothing else.
The people are losing yet again.
Indians are there to manage Nepal yet again. Maoits are exposed yet again.
I do not blame King alone for everything. Political parties are jokers. Lets see what cloths they wear this time.
Hey UWB, BBC just said that protestors in Kalanki have overpowered the police, who are in retreat. Can you confirm this?
heard mukherjee was asking the king to sigh a defense pact so that nepal wont buy any arms and weaponary from china and india is the sole provider .. heard girija is by the side of the indian ambassdor and girija asked mukherjee to provide indian army for the safe keeping of the koshi barrage which the maos said gona blow it off…man imagine indian army in our territory..its ridiculous
I agree with Mr coke. lets see which way the political parties swing with the blowing wind.