Trouble in Nepal Story aired: Thursday, February 03, 2005
The king of Nepal says he is suspending democracy in an attempt to save it.
King Gyandendra delivered a rare address on state run television and said: "for the larger interest of the Nepalese general public, the nation and democracy and people's fundamental rights, we have decided to form a new government under my own chairmanship."
Shortly after the announcement, many politicians were put under house arrest, phone lines were cut off; and security forces took control of the capital, Katmandu. This all happened while Maoist insurgents threaten to overwhelm the country.
Gyandendra said he took his action in part because the government had done little to stop the Maoists.
Guests:
Sanjeev Shershan is with the Asia Society in New York.
