Nepal continues to be gripped by a national strike jointly called by the seven-party political alliance and the Maoist insurgency. People have been staying home from work and protesting in the streets, putting pressure on King Gyanendra to restore democracy in the country. So far, he has been unyielding. The political parties have called for people to take to the streets en masse Thursday, break through the police barriers, and surround the presidential palace.
Diplomatic efforts to stop Nepal from falling deeper into crisis are continuing, with the arrival Wednesday of an Indian envoy offering to mediate between King Gyanendra and those who want him to relinquish power. The arrival comes as anti-monarchy protests continue into their 14th day, and ahead of nationwide protests planned for Thursday.
Indian envoy Karan Singh says New Delhi does not want to interfere in Nepal’s internal affairs, but it also does not want its neighboring country to fall into chaos. Singh was expected to meet with King Gyanendra and politicians ahead of demonstrations planned for Thursday, which some fear may turn violent.
Demonstrators have taken to the streets of Nepal’s capital for the past two weeks, and a nationwide strike called by a coalition of political parties has brought the country to a virtual standstill. Residents complain that prices of basic commodities have risen, and some food is in short supply.
At times, the demonstrations have turned violent, with security forces firing rubber bullets into crowds and beating p.rotesters. So far, at least six people have died, and there were reports of the police shooting several more in the eastern part of the country on Wednesday.
Leaders of an alliance of seven mainstream political parties predict that hundreds of thousands of people across the country will join the protests Thursday, in defiance of a government ban.
Opposition member J.N. Khanal says the demonstrators will break through police barriers to demonstrate in the heart of the capital.
“We will have to encircle the palace, encircle King Gyanendra,” he said. “And he’s not listening ÄtoÅ our voice, the people’s voice. We have to make him hear.”
Many people are not going to work — even government workers. The country is barely functioning. Basic commodities can still be bought… for a price. Because highways have been blocked, costs are soaring. The price of an onion has quadrupled. Water supply companies are only able to distribute one fourth of what they usually do. It’s not reaching people’s houses so they’re having to rely on bottled water.
It is clear that the public has become squarely against the King over the past year, and rising prices and instability will only fuel that. However, the security forces have played a key role in preventing the toppling of the government. They have arrested thousands of people and fired on the rest, preventing them from gathering in the middle of Kathmandu. If the security forces remain squarely on the King’s side then he will be able to remain in power; but any eventual downfall will be much less stable and much more gruesome than it would be otherwise.
I think their steadfastness in staying with the King stems not just from being trained to defend the monarchy, but by being heavily anti-Maoist. Just like most militaries. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the original disbanding of democracy in the name of fighting the Maoists was at the behest of the military. That’s why you won’t see a military coup in this situation — I don’t think — because of the King’s failure to combat the insurgency. The two are one!