The ultimatum given to King Gyanendra by the seven party alliance to make preparations for a constituent assembly ended on Sunday evening with no response from the palace. According to the press statement released by the seven party alliance today, the leaders of the agitating parties have announced that they will join the pro-democracy demonstrations starting 25 April. On the day of the organised protests seven party alliance leaders will lead the demonstrations around Ring Road area. NC chairman G P Koirala will march with the movement from Gongabu, UML general secretary Madhab Nepal from Kalanki, Sher Bahadur Deuba from Maharajgung, Narayanman Bijhukche from Koteswor, Amik Sherchan from Satdobato and Bharat Bimal Yadab from Swayambhu.

Thousands came out for the second day today in protest of the king's offer. King Gyanendra gave executive power back to the people and asked the seven agitating parties to recommend a name for the prime minister. The opposition called the king's offer a ploy to disrupt the ongoing pro-democracy movements and rejected it. In Kathmandu clases were reported in the Ring Road stretch from Balaju to Kalanki where a crowd of several thousand marched to Balaju from Kalanki. Security forces used force in many places and a person suspected to be a government agent was badly beaten up in Kalanki by the crowd and was later taken to a hospital by human rights activists. At least three were reportedly injured when police opened fire in Koteswor at a march coming in from Bhaktapur. Huge demonstrations were reported in Chabahil and Samakhusi area. Kathmandu city centre remained under tight security today.

Meanwhile, protests continued in Pokhara, Chitwan and Nepalgunj, Biratnagar, Birtamod and Damak. Tens of thousands of protesters came out in Dang calling for total democracy. Over 30,000 people reportedly participated in a peaceful march at Mahendranagar today.

WEB EXCLUSIVE | PHOTO GALLERY
ALL PICS: NAYANTARA K.

As a shoot-on-sight curfew comes into affect, Durbarmarg empties out, except a few media crews filming with Narayanhiti Palace as backdrop.

A group of SPA women leaders, lead protesters towards Chahabil.

"Tapaiko helmet 3 kilo garung huncha re ho dai?" a protestor teases a policeman in good cheer.

As the crowd moving towards Chahabil chowk comes to a standstill, they are kept entertained by a mother and daughter folk duet.

Protesters celebrate an upcoming wedding, airlifting the groom to be, as the police line watches in amusement.

A wall of police bar protesters from marching towards Chahabil chowk.

Despite close proximity, police and protesters spend an hour quite amicably near Chahabil chowk today.

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