“The rallies were organized peacefully and no incident of violence were reported,” Chief of Kathmandu District Police SP Ramesh Kharel told Republica. [break]
He estimated that around 125,000 Maoist supporters participated in the rallies in Kathmandu.
The rallies that were taken out from 18 locations in the Valley later converged into a mass meet at Khulla Manch.
Earlier, the government had put all security agencies on high alert and deployed over 15,000 police personnel in Kathmandu Valley to ward off untoward incidents.
However, normal life in the capital was seriously affected. Streets wore a deserted look since early morning as both private and public vehicles remained off the roads. Only a few ambulances and vehicles owned by the media plied the streets. The buses that plied on Saturday were carrying only the Maoists. Taxis were charging hefty fares.
Unlike any other Saturday, businesses in all major thoroughfares in Kathmandu remained shut. The businessmen apparently chose to pull their shutters down for fear of possible clashes between security personnel and Maoists protestors.
Businessmen said they closed the shops as they could take no risks as lethal weapons were confiscated in the Valley and swarm of Maoist cadres entered the capital city.
May Day rallies in districts
Similarly, the UCPN-Maoist marked May Day organizing various programs across the country on Saturday. Rallies and meetings were organized in Taplejung, Pachthar, and Terhathum among others. Hundreds of Maoist supporters participated in the rallies.
In Pokhara, party central committee member Top Bahadur Rayamajhi addressing a mass meet demanded resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Nepal. The Maoist cadres also chanted slogans against the government.
The rally organized in Butuwal was addressed by Maoist central committee member Devendra Paudel. Paudel said that they would continue their demonstrations until the prime minister steps out of the government.
Similarly, stick wielding Maoist supporters took out a rally in Birgunj chanting slogans against the government. Supporters from Bara, Parsa and Rautahat had joined the rallies. Maoist leader Bhim Prasad Gautam addressed the mass meeting in Birgunj.
Likewise, Maoist cadres also took out rallies in Tanahu.
In Dhangadhi, thousands of supporters participated in the Maoist rally. The rally later converged into mass meeting.
Addressing the gathering, Maoist central committee member Ram Karki said their protest is aimed at formation of a national government, peace and constitution.
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