Kalanki area, the western outskirts of Kathmandu, which has been the main flashpoint of the ongoing pro-democracy movement, still remained restive on the 18th day of the nationwide general strike called by the seven opposition parties Sunday, as protesters frequently clashed with security personnel.

Carrying flags of parties, tens of thousands of agitators assembled at Kalanki Chowk, which has been declared ‘Loktantra Chowk’ by the protesters, and chanted slogans against the royal address of Friday and warned the SPA against compromising with the King.

The protesters came from Kirtipur, Balkhu, Naikap, Sitapaila and other suburbs. They defied the curfew orders, taking charge of the street for some time before the security force rained lathis (batons) on them and fired teargas shells.

Security presence remained as tight as in previous days in the area. Riot police were in battle position on the front carrying batons and behind them were Armed Police Force soldiers while army men formed the 3rd layer.

While a relatively small crowd kept on chanting slogans against the royal proclamation at the main intersection, a huge crowd moved towards Balaju on which riot police charged batons and fired teargas shells, injuring at least a dozen.

At around 5:00 police fired shots in the air and charged batons on protesters who gathered in thousands clashed with police. Human rights workers present on the scene told Nepalnews that few protesters received minor injuries in the clash but no major casualties took place.

With burning tyres and bricks and stones littering the road the entire area looked like a battlefield. Red Cross officials, medical volunteers from different health institutions and UN officials were present in the area at the prospect of the agitation turning ugly.

Kalanki has witnessed protest rallies everyday since the start of the nationwide general strike of the SPA on April 6 but angry mass protests have become everyday routine after Thursday when three protesters – some say four – were shot dead by security forces and over 100 others were wounded. Furious protesters had burned down a government office, a police beat and three motorbikes of the traffic police. nepalnews.com Mohan Khadka Apr 23 06