More than 200 pro-democracy activists protesting against Friday’s royal address and defying the curfew orders were wounded when security forces opened fire at them and charged batons at different places in Kathmandu while protest rallies continued in almost all cities and towns across the country Saturday.

At least 50 demonstrators were injured when security forces fired rubber bullets – some said live ammunitions were also fired – when a huge crowd of protesters reached Bhotahiti area, central Kathmandu, in the afternoon. The protesters managed to take some of the injured to the nearby Bir Hospital but some of them were taken away by the police who even barred ambulances from picking up the injured persons, reports said.

The protesters marched past various places starting from Ring Road and reached the Bhotahiti area.

Similarly, more than three dozen protesters were injured in firing by the security force at Tripureshwor when a crowd of an estimated 50 thousand people tried to move towards Ratna Park. The security personnel also fired several rounds of teargas shells and charged batons to disperse the demonstrators. Crowds gathered from the Chabhil, Koteshwor and Shankamul and marched past New Baneshwor and Maitighar, chanting slogans against the royal address and warning the seven-party alliance (SPA) against compromising with the King.

Likewise, nearly two dozen people were injured when police fired rubber bullets and changed batons on the protesters at Soltimode. Tens of thousands of people assembled at Kalanki Chowk and moved towards the city centre but were stopped by the security forces at Soltimode.

More than 100 persons were injured in clashes with security forces elsewhere around Kathmandu Valley, according to reports. The CPN (UML) in a statement said more than 300 pro-democracy activists were injured in government clampdown in protests in Kathmandu.

Sources at Kathmandu Model Hospital at Bag Bazaar said 35 injured persons were being treated there.

Demonstrations were staged in Kirtipur, different parts of Bhaktapur, Gongabu and several other places. Sporadic protests continued till evening despite curfew and heavy security presence.

Meanwhile, there were reports of demonstrations against the royal address in different parts of the country.

In Pokhara, nearly 100 thousand people joined in the seven-party demonstration while rallies were organised in other western district headquarters like Baglung Bazaar, Beni, Kusma, Damauli and Gorkha.

As in previous days, huge demonstrations were organised in Narayangadh in Chitwan district, against the royal address today, reports said. Professional organisations, human rights groups and businessmen also joined the rally. Protests were organised in Butwal, Bhairahawa, Rajbiraj and several other Terai districts. However, there were no reports of violence during these protests.

Protesters vandalised the statues of former Kings in Butwal and Kusma Bazaar, reports said.

Districts surrounding Kathmandu Valley like Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Nuwakot and Rasuwa also saw demonstrations from early morning.

In eastern Nepal, angry protests were organised in major towns like Biratnagar in Morang, Dhankuta, Damak of Jhapa, Ilam Bazaar, Phidim of Paanchthar. Protests were also organised in Bardiya, Rolpa, Pyuthan, Dailekh and Nepalgunj of Banke.

In one of the biggest rally of recent times, nearly 100 thousand people took the streets in Birgatnagar to protest against the royal address. The protesters also vandalised the district office of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Thapa) in the town. nepalnews.com mk Apr 22 06