Student unions and non- government organizations Tuesday intensified their demonstrations protesting against King Gyanendra's Democracy Day message, the local leading media group's website eKantipur reported.

Student organizations affiliated to the eight political parties, including ruling Seven-party Alliance (SPA) and the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) (formerly known as guerrilla), staged protests against King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev's statement, from eastern hilly district Khotang to far western Terai plains district Kanchanpur.

The students chanted anti-monarchy slogans demanding the establishment of a democratic republic system.

In capital Kathmandu, the Civil Society for Peace and Democracy staged a sit-in protest against the royal statement. The non- government organization alleged that the king's statement was defending his Feb. 1, 2005 takeover, and that the statement hinted at controversies brewing in a bid to obstruct the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections. Its leader Dr. Devendra Raj Pandey said, "The parliament should declare Nepal a democratic republic as soon as possible."

Chanting slogans against the monarchy, protesters across the country Tuesday vandalized many statues of the monarchs in towns including Syangja, Biratnagar, Hetauda, and Banepa.

On Monday, King Gyanendra released his message on the occasion of the 57th National Democracy Day on Monday. The statement commented on the king's direct rule since Feb. 1, 2005 till April, 2006, saying, "It is clear that the prevailing situation compelled us to take the Feb. 1, 2005 step in accordance with the people's aspiration."

Nepali political parties termed King Gyanendra's statement as " unauthorized and politically inappropriate."

Nepali monarch's status will be decided by the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly which is due to be held in mid-June, 2007, as is stipulated in agreements reached between the SPA and the CPN in November 2006, and in the Interim Constitution promulgated on Jan. 15.

Source: Xinhua