Nepal's Govt bans protests around outgoing King's palace to prevent violence

NEPAL: Nepalese authorities on Monday banned protests around King Gyanendra's palace and private residence to prevent violence, days ahead of the formal abolition of the centuries-old monarchy in this Himalayan nation.

A Constituent Assembly - elected last month and charged with rewriting Nepal's constitution and deciding its future political system - will meet Wednesday for the first time since being elected last month.

It was decided before the election by the major political parties that the first meeting of the 601-member assembly would remove the king and declare Nepal a republic. Home Ministry official Ekmani Nepal said Monday all protests and rallies around the Narayanhiti royal palace and Gyanendra's home have been banned to prevent any violence.

Demonstrations were also barred near Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's house and the Birendra International Convention Center, where the assembly is scheduled to meet Wednesday. Violators will be arrested and jailed, Nepal said. Monday, AP