Monday, May 2 2005 09:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Dissatisfied with the lifting of emergency by King Gyanendra, Nepal's political parties demanded press freedom and release of political prisoners even as thousands took part in the biggest-ever anti-King rally in Kathmandu, since the royal seizure of power in February.

Some 15,000 trade union activists and labourers marched in the capital to mark International Labour Day demanding trade union rights, democracy, press freedom and human rights.

A rally was held in the face of press censorship and a ban on political activities despite Saturday's Government announcement lifting the state of emergency.

Organised by five federations, including Nepal Trade Union Congress affiliated to the Nepali Congress and General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions, the march also drew activists from India, Japan, Belgium and Sweden.

Political leaders and civil society members dubbed the lifting of emergency as a "cosmetic measure" to "fool" international community.

Former Premier and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala said the impact of emergency was not reduced even after its withdrawal. "So in fact, there is no change in the situation."

The Government should also withdraw all restrictive orders including press censorship, which were issued along with the declaration of emergency, Koirala told reporters.

Pradip Nepal, spokesman of Nepal's largest communist party Nepal Communist Party-UML, said, "We are not in a position to rely on the Government's words as no political leaders have been released even two days after the emergency was lifted."