50 Protesters Killed by Katmandu Police

Police opened fire on 200,000 pro-democracy demonstrators marching toward the royal palace today and at least 50 people were killed, hospitals reported.

At least nine more people were killed in clashes with police during similar demonstrations in other parts of the country, witnesses said.

The violence occurred immediately after King Birendra dismissed the government and promised talks with pro-democracy activists.

Opposition leaders rejected the offer and vowed to continue their nearly 2-month-old struggle for a multiparty political system.

In Katmandu, the capital, bands of angry protesters calling for greater democracy in this Himalayan monarchy tried to set fire to government buildings and the houses of politicians loyal to King Birendra.

Witnesses said police first shot tear gas and beat demonstrators with sticks when they came within 500 yards of the royal palace. The protesters were waving flags and chanting anti-government slogans.

When that failed to turn back the protesters, police opened fire.

One witness said he saw at least 200 demonstrators fall to the ground, but accounts of the number of casualties varied.

Doctors in major hospitals reported at least 50 killed and 200 wounded.

The Press Trust of India quoted unconfirmed reports that 150 protesters were killed. It said Israeli-trained army commandos are posted in all sensitive areas and are also guarding the royal palace.

At sundown, the city was plunged into darkness as an opposition-planned blackout took effect. Clouds of tear gas fogged the streets.

King Birendra said on state-run radio today that a new government will be formed by Lokendra Bahadur Chand, a former prime minister regarded as more moderate toward political opposition than former Prime Minister Marich Man Singh Shrestha.

The king also said committees will be formed to make recommendations on constitutional reforms and to investigate accusations of police abuses against demonstrators.