PHA-Exchange> When people's voices become stronger than bullets.

[Mathura P Shrestha]

People of Nepal feel that voices of the people are mightier than bullets

Today's agitation by five major political parties was as large as of 150.000 people. The slogan was totally against the king, his regression, and for democracy and republic. People's participation was so spontaneous and emotionally so courageous and spirited that common people expressed openly, "Voices of agitating mass are far mightier than bullets of security forces. What Maoists could not achieve in eight years of insurgency, agitating mass appear to be on the way to achieve that after about two months of agitation, if continued in the same spirit". I think that kind of expression coming from common people is very healthy for democracy. The demonstration is becoming more and more effective to realize that aspiration in near future. Nepal appear to be in the road to republic than ever before.

People started agitating from early morning today from more than hundred different points/streets in Kathmandu, Patan, Khwopa (Bhaktapur) and Kepu (Kirtipur). All demonstrations assembled in Democracy Avenue by 12.00 noon and was active with radical slogans, songs and dances till 5.30 PM. People were amazingly peaceful and remained strained. Some 200 government vigilante penetrated the demonstration each with a sharp khukuri (Nepali army knife). Such vigilante inflicted several incised wounds on some in different parts of Kathmandu valley. But the local people quickly identified them, confiscated knives and restrained them properly and thoroughly. Some were of course were beaten by the people though not seriously. There were some skirmishes with police. Today different hospitals in Kathmandu treated about 35 injury cases. One was found to be inflicted with heavy bruises with several small penetrating wounds showing that the police was using a baton hubbed with nails. 

Please propagate this message world wide.

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