Student Protesters Detained in Nepal

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Police in riot gear broke up pro-democracy demonstrations in the Nepalese capital on Thursday and detained dozens of students protesting King Gyanendra's seizure of power last month.

The king assumed absolute power on Feb. 1, when he imposed emergency rule and put top politicians in jail. The government, in its first news conference since seizing power, on Thursday urged all the main political parties to give up street protests and work closely with the king to resolve the country's crisis.

But the student protesters demanded the restoration of democracy. Hundreds of police dragged demonstrators from the main market in Katmandu. The students came out in smaller groups but were quickly chased by the police. About three dozen were detained.

"Let us fight for restoration of democracy. Restore civil rights. Free all political prisoners," they chanted, waving red flags. <snip>

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