Nepal Authorities Trying to Decapitate Opposition

Nepalese authorities have detained at least 50 opposition leaders and activists ahead of a mass rally of anti-royalist forces scheduled for Friday.

Telephone services have also been cut in Nepal's capital Kathmandu. No official reason has been given.

Earlier the government had declared an indefinite ban on all rallies in the capital fearing provocations from the Maoists. The authorities had officially asked the opposition to call off Friday's rally. The interior minister Kamal Thapa had warned opposition leaders of strong action if they did not call off the agitation. In spite of the warning, the opposition parties are set to go ahead with the rally.

The detentions and the cutting of phone lines appear to be aimed at foiling the mass rally. However, those detained appear to be mainly the second rung of leaders in opposition parties, which would have little effect on the political activity of the opposition. The parties opposing the King had decided to boycott the municipal election due to take place next February and announced the beginning of a civil protest campaign.

All this is taking place against a background of an upsurge in the subversive activities of the Maoists who are also trying to foil the election. During the past weekend alone extremists killed 12 policemen in Kathmandu, prompting the government to impose a night-time curfew and a ban on all rallies and demonstrations in the capital.