Tuesday, January 24 2006 10:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Nepal's Royal Government yesterday (Jan 23, 2006) restored cellular mobile phone and wireless services in the capital hours after a top official claimed that security situation in the Kingdom had improved enough to start easing restrictions.

The cellular phone services, switched off by the government on Thursday along with land phone lines and Internet services to foil an opposition protest rally, have resumed, officials said.

Cellular services were restored hours after Home Minister Kamal Thapa claimed that the security situation in the Nepalese capital had improved and announced that security measures had been softened.

The Government has softened stringent security as the epace and security situation in the capital has improved, Thapa told reporters today.

The stepped up security measures adopted by the government have stopped any unpleasant incidents to occur in the capital, he claimed.

Also, the Chief District Administrator of Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts announced withdrawal of ban imposed on peaceful demonstrations in Kathmandu and also lifted the night curfew imposed since last Monday, saying it is no longer necessary as security has improved in the capital.

The Government earlier imposed restrictions on rallies and public meetings and night curfew, saying the Maoists may infiltrate into the seven-party agitation.

The Government's decision to lift the ban came after political parties defied the restrictions on the fourth consecutive day.

Thapa also offered dialogue with the political parties but said the Municipal polls will be held as per schedule. The Government is ready to hold talks with the opposition on any topic, he said, adding the government is committed to holding the elections as per schedule.

The Government has, meanwhile, released only four leaders, including Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koiral, who were put under house arrest ahead of a major protest show in Kathmandu last week. However, about 300 activists belonging to major political parties, are still in custody.

Also, police and students clashed in the capital today as activists vowed to hold more demonstrations against the King.

Protesting students burned tires and blocked traffic outside two colleges in the capital clashing with police who fired tear gas and beat the students with batons.

The youth and student bodies of the seven-party alliance, including Nepal Tarun Dal affiliated to the Nepali Congress (Democratic) and All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) staged anti-King rallies, burnt effigies and held corner meetings in various parts of the capital in which ten activists were arrested.