Tuesday, May 16 2006 16:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Hundreds of people today (May 16, 2006) demonstrated on the outskirts of Kathmandu against the delay in introducing a proclamation that would curtail the King's powers including stripping him of the title of the Supreme Commander of the Nepal army.

Youths and student wings of the ruling seven-party alliance held demonstrations near the capital demanding that the proclamation be issued at the earliest.

The alliance yesterday decided to postpone tabling the proclamation in Parliament.

The Koirala Government is now preparing to bring the proclamation in Parliament on Thursday which aims to curtail powers of the monarch. Before tabling the proclamation, Koirala is planning to expand the cabinet.

Shouting anti-king slogans, the activists burnt tyres in Kalanki and Kalimati and blocked roads, party sources said.

They also chanted slogans against former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, alleging that he has a soft corner for the monarch.

According to an opposition leader Deuba defended the monarch, when party leaders met at Prime Minister G P Koirala's residence to decide on stripping the King of his title of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Army. However, Deuba denied the charge.

The activists asked the government not to compromise with the King on the sovereignty of the people and to curtail powers of the monarch.

Shops were closed in parts of the city due to the demonstrations but police did not interfere in these programmes.