Normality returns to riot-torn Kathmandu

KATHMANDU, DEC 29. The Nepalese Capital was mostly calm today after Left wing students called off a fifth day of protests at an alleged slur by film star Hrithik Roshan out of respect for the King's birthday.

In isolated incidents the offices of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party were set on fire and a few vehicles belonging to Indian businessmen in Kathmandu were damaged this morning, witnesses said. But there were no reports of any major clashes.

Today was a national holiday in the Himalayan kingdom to mark the 56Th birthday of King Birendra. Calm fell for the first time in more than 72 hours, after anger swelled following mysterious allegations that Hrithik said earlier this month that he loathed Nepal. Both Roshan and the Star Television have denied he said he `hated Nepal and the Nepalese people' in an interview two weeks ago. But violence has continued despite the denials, claiming five lives including two children killed when police opened fire on an angry crowd on Tuesday.

- AFP

IA resumes flights

Our New Delhi Special Correspondent reports:

The Indian Airlines today operated flights in all the three sectors to Nepal, where normality returned after three days of rioting and general strikes.

Sources said the Delhi-Kathmandu flight left with 88 passengers and returned with as many as 202 passengers. Similarly, the Calcutta-Kathmandu flight carried 50 passengers and returned with 248 passengers. In the Varanasi-Kathmandu sector, the outbound flight carried 81 passengers. It returned with 134 passengers.

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