Nepal, which I visited in 1987, is a beautiful country with a horrible political situation. Here's more evidence of the latter aspect.


Violence, low turnout mar Nepalese elections
Last Updated Wed, 08 Feb 2006 15:05:07 EST
CBC News

Violence resulting in the death of at least six people and low voter turnout have marred the first elections in Nepal in seven years.

One person was shot by soldiers during a protest on Wednesday. The government had warned that the army would target anyone who tried to interfere with the voting.

According to preliminary results, just more than 20 per cent of voters had cast ballots, chief election commissioner Keshav Raj Rajbhandari said.

Final figures were scheduled to be released Thursday.

FROM JAN. 26, 2006: Anti-monarchy strike disrupts Nepal

Major political parties have criticized the election, refusing to take part because they claim it is a sham aimed at perpetuating King Gyanendra's control of the country.

The king sacked the elected government a year ago and seized power.

Voting was taking place in only 36 towns and cities because the country's remaining 22 municipalities lacked candidates or had contenders running unopposed.

The army said soldiers were "compelled to open fire" on some 150 protesters trying to interfere with voting in the southwestern town of Dang. One person was killed and one was wounded, the military said.

Two rebels were killed when Maoist insurgents bombed at least 12 government buildings and destroyed the local bank, the Defence Ministry said.

The insurgents also killed a policeman and civilian, and took seven government officials and three policemen hostage during the assault in Dhankuta, according to reports.

Another rebel was killed in a clash with soldiers in the western town of Dhangadi, the ministry said in a statement.

On Tuesday, three rebels had been killed in violence linked to the elections.

Gyanendra's government has rounded up hundreds of politicians, activists and journalists in the last several weeks in the wake of threats to disrupt the vote.

On Wednesday morning, police arrested about 30 politicians and activists who were trying to organize protests in an eastern border town.