Government Bans Public Gatherings

Nepal banned public meetings for a month, hoping to block a 200,000-strong rally planned by Maoist rebels this week in the capital, Katmandu.

The previous day, the government's second round of talks with the guerrillas ended in a deadlock.

The government banned all public meetings and rallies for one month in the Katmandu Valley, fearing trouble during the Maoist rally, scheduled for Friday. The demonstration venue is less than half a mile from the king's palace and the prime minister's office.