It was 364 days ago that King Gyanendra suspended democracy by sacking parliament and began a new war against Nepal’s civil society in the face of a Maoist insurrection. Since then, thousands of people protesting against the government have been arrested, from major politicians and journalists to the everyday man and woman. Just today, on the eve of the anniversary of the king’s seizure of power, over 1000 people have been arrested for opposing him.

Hundreds of opposition activists have been arrested across Nepal on the eve of the first anniversary of the royal coup, the opposition says.

An opposition spokesman said up to 1,000 people had been detained ahead of rallies planned nationwide to mark King Gyanendra’s seizure of absolute power.

Dozens were held in Kathmandu during a women’s rally, the spokesman said. Official figures were unavailable.

Local elections are due next week which the opposition are boycotting.

The crossroads I’m talking about is the municipal elections scheduled for exactly a week from tomorrow. The King’s inability to confront the Maoists — even though the reason he disbanded parliament was because of their supposed inability to do so — has led to a surge in violence and over 1/4 of the municipal seats standing without candidates. In fact, so many candidates (hundreds) have withdrawn that a beggar even won unopposed.

All the polls are is an attempt to legitimize the power grab following parliamentary polls later this year. But they are inherently illegitimate, and people are quickly coming to realize that. Nepal already has a duly elected parliament! Just not the one the king wants.

MORE: The United States has called on the king to restore democracy, saying that his power seizure has made the security situation more precarious than it already was. Well, duh.