Protesters Hurt in Clash With Police in Nepal

Thousands of protesters demanding that Nepal’s king allow a democratic government burned vehicles and street signs and clashed with police for a second day Saturday.

At least a dozen protesters were injured in the capital, Katmandu, as police used batons to disperse thousands of demonstrators.

About 30,000 people gathered in various parts of the Himalayan kingdom Saturday, a day after police fired on protesters and hit them with batons -- leaving at least 205 injured -- to break up a demonstration against King Gyanendra for replacing an elected government with one loyal to the monarchy.

Gyanendra dissolved parliament and fired the prime minister in October 2002, accusing him of incompetence and failing to control a Maoist insurgency. The king then assumed executive powers and replaced the government with pro-monarchy politicians.

However, faced with frequent protests, the king said last week that new parliamentary elections would be held within 12 months.

The rebels, who say they are inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Tse-tung, have been fighting since 1996 for a communist state. More than 9,000 people have been killed in the rebellion.