Martial Law Declared in Nepal -- Could this happen here???

[Stop_the_War]

All communication links were cut after the King Gyanendra's announcement of suspending parliament and fundamental rights, on Tuesday, 1st of february.
Airlinks have been closed, roads blocked, other transport links delayed. Armed security forces in riot gear are deployed. Leaders of major political parties, trade unions and student organisations are under house arrest or detained. Army is stationed in the editorial offices of all national dailies in order to censor. Outside of Kathmandu, the Maoist strike is apparently observed.
A student demonstration at Prithvi Narayan Campus in Pokhara was fired on by a military helicopter gunship leaving several protestors badly injured if not dead; all FM radio broadcasts outside of Kathmandu are blocked and those broadcasting in Kathmandu play only entertainment-oriented programmes; the BBC FM station recently established in Kathmandu is forbidden from broadcasting the news in Nepali; news stands outside of the Valley have been closed; and a 72-hour blockade on long-distance public bus travel in and out of Kathmandu is in place.

Nepalese king's power grab

King Gyanendra dismissed Nepal's government Tuesday and declared a state of emergency, closing off his Himalayan nation from the rest of the world as telephone and Internet lines were cut, flights diverted and civil liberties severely curtailed.

This was the second time in three years the king has taken control of the tiny South Asian constitutional monarchy, a throwback to the era of absolute power enjoyed by monarchs before King Birendra, Gyanendra's elder brother, introduced democracy in 1990.

The king also suspended several provisions of the constitution, including freedom of the press, speech and expression, peaceful assembly, the right to privacy and the right against preventive detention

United Nations, India, UK and Humanrights Organisations critisized govt dismissal in Nepal.

http://www.indymedia.org/en/2005/02/112879.shtml


I think it's possible something like this could happen here. But the thought of Bush suspending the government and declaring martial law scares me indeed. :scared: :scared:

[burythehatchet]

1. Let's invade

[Stop_the_War]

2. Let's not.

[Stop_the_War]

3. kick

[Stop_the_War]

4. kick

[Career Prole]

5. I imagine the possibility exists.

I also imagine many ignorant freepers would willingly pitch in trying to enforce it.

[bhunt70]

6. This is an interesting instance.

One of my best friends is from a small village in Nepal, went to school in Kathmandu, moved here about 9 or 10 years ago and is now a citizen of the US. He thinks that this is a good idea and backs the king on this. He says the governement is very screwed up and corrupt over there and that the fight with the Maoists doesn't help at all, in short he said that the king's hands are tied, trying to fight off the maoists and the the corrupt government officials and he states that many Nepalese agree with the king in doing this. I think he stated that the kings father had done something like this long ago and it wasn't received in a negative fashion.

For the record, he hates Bush and was very glad to vote against him in his first vote as an american citizen.

It seems odd to me, but he used to live there and doesn't seem worried for his family or friends. He thinks it's a necessary step for the king to regain control over a country that is rife with corruption and the maoist threat.