Nepalis defy shoot-to-kill curfew

Thousands of anti-monarchy protestors in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are staging a rally in defiance of an 18-hour shoot-on-sight curfew.

The curfew was imposed to prevent opposition parties rallying in the centre of the city against the king.

But protesters have already breached the outer limits of the curfew zone.

Their action comes on the 15th day of their campaign to force King Gyanendra to end his absolute rule that has been in place since February, 2005.

The king said the move was needed because the democratic government had failed to deal with Nepal's Maoist rebellion.

The authorities have warned that anyone violating the curfew will be "shot on sight".

Over 2,000 people gathered in the Chabail area of the city chanting "We want democracy" and other slogans.
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