Wednesday, April 12 2006 10:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Intensifying their agitation, tens of thousands of opposition activists in Nepal yesterday (Apr 11, 2006) defied a curfew to protest against King Gyanendra's rule as police fired on protestors leaving over 100 of them injured and also arrested 10 journalists from a peaceful rally.

Security personnel fired at least 200 rounds of bullets and severely baton charged protestors in Gongabun area in the outskirts of Kathmandu, injuring at least 100 people, over a dozen of them seriously, witnesses and party sources said.

There may also have been casualties, witnesses said, adding the firing took place at 3 pm and the clashes continued till the curfew was lifted at 5 pm. There were bloodstains in the area.

Police also intervened at a peaceful demonstration by journalists in Chitawan and arrested ten scribes.

Communication Minister Shris Sumsher Rana conceded that the current situation in the country was 'fluid, dangerous and precipitative' but claimed that it was still under the control.

The opposition parties continued to defy the daytime curfew, imposed since Saturday, in many pockets of Kathmandu as thousands of people participated in ant-King protests in Kalanki, Baneshwor, Anamnagar, Kirtipur and Patan.

More than 10,000 people also gathered in the Ringroad area, shouting anti-King slogans and demanding democracy and freedom, he said.

There were also reports of police opening fire on protestors in the western resort town of Pokhara in which two people were injured.

Reports said Nepal police also arrested 10 foreign tourists in Thamel who defied the curfew.