Protests and demonstrations continued in the Kathmandu Valley Monday defying the curfew order issued by the local administration to be effective in the urban areas of the valley from 11:00 a.m. (0515 GMT) to 6:00 p.m. (1215 GMT).

Clashes between demonstrators and security personnel took place in different parts of the valley. Some demonstrators were injured in the process.

Security personnel resorted to lathi-charge and firing of tear gas shells in order to control the demonstrators defying the curfew order while live bullets were fired at Basundhara on the Ring Road. Seven protesters were reported injured from the firing.

Both the demonstrators and security personnel exercised restraint in some meeting points of the agitation.

Roads in different parts of the valley, especially the Ring Road, remained blocked due to the obstruction laid by the demonstrators.

The number of civil servants heading towards their offices was greater Monday in compared to that of Sunday.

However, it has been learnt that many employees returned back home after registering their presence and before the curfew began at 11:00 a.m. (0515).

The pre-curfew period saw the residents of Kathmandu rushing to buy vegetables and cereals.

Likewise, taxi, tempos, private vehicles and a significant number of motorcycles were seen plying on the streets before and after the curfew period.

Vehicles with curfew pass including ambulances and vehicles used by the media and security personnel were seen plying on the deserted streets during the curfew period while Nepal Tourism Board had made special arrangement for air passengers including tourists coming to and leaving the country.

The Nepali seven political party alliance called a general strike on April 6.

Source: Xinhua