Kathmandu June 4 – The Kathmandu district administration has announced a curfew in the metropolitan area in preparation for the funeral of late King Dipendra later this evening.

Police vans with loudspeakers went around the centre of the city telling thousands of demonstrators around Tundikhel and the inner city that the curfew would be strictly enforced and to stay indoors.

Tens of thousands of people are packed along the road leading up to Chhauni from the city and from Swayambhu to witness the start of the funeral procession. The capital has been tense since morning as as organised bands of people with shaved heads shouted slogans demanding justice for the murders of the royal family members. There were processions of motorcylces cruising the city streets also shouting slogans, many of them against the new king and his son, Paras. Taxis, minivans and lorries had been commandeered and going around town full of protesters. Rubber bullets, tear gas and in one instance even live rounds were fired by police to disperse the agitated crowds.

Civil servants and senior officials have been asked to be prsent at the Birendra Military Hospital after 3PM for the funeral procession of Dipendra, and many were being jeered as they negotiated the crowds on the streets to get there. Other parts of Kathmandu wore a deserted look, with only cars, motorcyles and pedestrians hurrying home to beat the curfew.

Curfew imposed on Patan also.