Nepal marks democracy anniversary

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Celebrations are being held in Nepal to mark the first anniversary of the restoration of democracy.

It came when King Gyanendra abandoned 14 months of direct rule and reinstated the parliament that had been suspended four years earlier.

His retreat followed three weeks of protests that had brought hundreds of thousands into the streets of cities and towns across Nepal.

Homes and public places are being illuminated for three days.

'Indefatigable courage'

The historic events of last April have become part of modern Nepalese folklore, known as the Second Jana Andolan or People's Movement.

PM Koirala says the clock cannot be turned back

The man whom those events swept back to the post of prime minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, has issued a message to the nation.

He paid tribute to what he called the indefatigable courage and heroic sacrifices of the people, saying their achievements could not now be overturned

In other moves to mark the occasion, a special health camp for children and the elderly has been set up.

Teams of volunteers are cleaning up cities and towns.

Even the army, traditionally loyal to the monarchy, is staging a five-gun salute.

Wednesday will see memorial events for the 19 or more people killed in the uprising.

Accusations

Nepal does still face many problems. The Maoist former rebels are now in government and parliament and their former fighters and weapons officially confined.

But many people say they are still using extortion and threats of violence, especially through their new and widely feared Young Communist League.

A group wanting regional autonomy in southern Nepal has waged violent protests which have seen nearly 50 deaths.

Mutual accusations are flying over the postponement of elections which were supposed to happen this June.

On the positive side, the civil war has ended and curfews and road blocks are a thing of the past.

As for King Gyanendra, he is now stripped of all his powers and is lying low, waiting to see if the monarchy is abolished by the constituent assembly which is due to be elected this year and will have the task of deciding Nepal's next form of governance.