His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, on the recommendation of Council of Ministers, declared a state of emergency throughout the country effective from Monday, the Royal Palace announcement said.

The King has authorized the deployment of the army on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, a Defense Ministry spokesman said.

His Majesty declared the state of emergency exercising the authority given by Article 115 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal.

His Majesty the King has suspended sub-clauses (a), (b), and (d) of Clause (2) of Article 12, Clause (1) of Article 13 and Article 15, 16, 17, 22 and 23 of the Constitution, except the right to file habeas
corpus.

The Council of Ministers in its emergency meeting decided to recommend to His Majesty the King to declare the state of emergency throughout the Kingdom to control Maoist attack and ensure law and order in the country.

His Majesty the King, on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, also issued Terrorist and Destructive Activities (Control and Punishment) ordinance in order to contain terrorism and violence in the country.

Meanwhile, the government has declared Nepal Communist Party (Maoist), its sister organisations and any organisation and individuals that support Maoist party and its activities as terrorists.

The decision of the government came following recent violent attacks by Maoist rebels in different parts of the country in which more than 70 policemen and army personnel were killed in just three days.