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Thousands of supporters of Nepal’s former royal family have held a rally demanding the restoration of the monarchy in the Himalayan nation.
Demonstrators in Kathmandu gather around a statue of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who started the Shah dynasty in the 18th century. The last Shah, Gyanendra, was forced to step down, the monarchy was abolished in 2008, and Nepal became a republic.
There are still many supporters who seek to restore the monarchy and gather every year on the anniversary of Prithvi Narayan’s birth.
Some previous rallies have turned violent, with clashes between demonstrators and police.
Wednesday’s rally was peaceful, but police in riot gear kept a close eye on the event, which included participants waving flags, playing music and chanting slogans praising the monarchy.
Nepal’s new government, led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, declared a public holiday on Wednesday to mark Prithvi Narayan’s birthday.
Mr Dahal led a Maoist communist rebel army between 1996 and 2006 that sought to abolish Nepal’s monarchy.
Gyanendra, who became king after his elder brother King Birendra was assassinated in a palace massacre in 2001, remains unpopular.
The political party teamed up with Maoist rebels to organize protests that forced him to relinquish power in 2006.
Two years later, Parliament voted to abolish the monarchy. Gyanendra, 75, remains a private citizen and politically inactive.
Protesters welcomed the government’s declaration of a public holiday and allowing them to hold rallies.
“The monarchy needs to return to Nepal,” said retired doctor Ram Prasad Upreti.
“We’re looking for a ceremonial king, we can accept an executive prime minister but we need a ceremonial king.”
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