Nepal: Opposition parties have postponed till Sunday, a massive anti-monarchy rally planned in Nepal's capital today.
The decision came after the Royal Government imposed a day's curfew and threatened to shoot any protestors on sight.
Thousands were expected to take to the streets in Saturday's rally meant to be the high point of a four-day general strike by Nepal's seven main political parties.
The Government has rounded up more than 2000 activists since Tuesday.
Meanwhile at least 19 people were reportedly killed, including 2 civilians and four security personnel, in 2 separate Maoist offensives last night.
Reports say violent clashes took place between the police and the demonstrators.
In retaliation, the students burnt a post office in Kathmandu and pelted stones at the police.
Earlier, rebels had bombed government buildings and attacked security bases killing 13 people including six policemen and taking many more hostage.
Though the government had banned the rally called by the rebels, more than 170 people joined in the protests.
Troops used tear gas and batons to quell the protesting crowd.
The strike has been called by Maoist rebels who have been trying to oust the government for almost a decade now.
The activists are planning to step up their campaign against Nepal's king Gyanendra who had dismissed an elected government and assumed direct control of Nepal last year.
King Gyanendra has been under pressure to restore democracy and give back the people of Nepal, their civil rights and liberties, for some time now.
He says that he was 'forced' to seize power in February 2005 because of growing insurgency.
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