Strike over media curbs paralyses Nepal capital

KATHMANDU - Hundreds of people walked to work and most schools and businesses shut down in Kathmandu on Friday as a strike against a new law banning the media from criticising Nepal's royal family paralysed the capital city.

At least 35 political activists were detained by police for forcing businesses to shut down, witnesses said.

They said some taxis were stoned for defying the dawn-to-dusk strike called by Nepal's seven main political parties, fighting against King Gyanendra's move to take power in February.

The parties have strongly opposed a law issued this month banning broadcast of private radio news and criticism of the king and his family. The law also imposes longer prison terms and bigger fines on journalists for defamation.

"The law has terrorised the media and crippled freedom of press," said Ram Chandra Poudel, a top leader of the Nepali Congress party.

"It forces people to shut their mouths. It is an attempt to continue the absolute rule of the king," he added.

A government spokesman, however, defended the new rules.

"This law is aimed at making the press dignified and responsible. It will not curtail press freedom," spokesman Ratna Raj Pandey said.

King Gyanendra dismissed the government and imposed curbs on civil rights and media freedom in February. He justified his move saying it was necessary to control a Maoist insurgency that has killed about 12,500 people since 1996.

While journalists welcomed the strike, some people said they were being inconvenienced ahead of a big Hindu festival.

"I don't know why they have called the strike. It only hurts poor people like us," said Hari Bansa Neupane, a milkman.

- REUTERS