KATHMANDU, April 4: Nepal’s royalist government on Tuesday indefinitely banned protests in Kathmandu, two days ahead of a general strike and a series of protests against King Gyanendra’s seizure of power. The ban would come into force from Wednesday in Kathmandu and the neighbouring temple-town of Lalitpur, a government statement said.

Nepal’s main political parties have planned a four-day nationwide general strike from Thursday and a series of big protests in Kathmandu against King Gyanendra who seized power last year. The government decision came a day after the rebels announced a ceasefire in Kathmandu.—Reuters