Opposition activists clash with police, Over 100 demonstrators arrested in Kathmandu (3:30 p. m.) Tens of thousands of opposition activists and professionals defied prohibitive orders in the capital, Kathmandu, Saturday-- a day after the day-long curfew imposed to thwart the peaceful mass meeting organised by the seven party opposition alliance. Activists affiliated to the opposition alliance clashed with police as the latter tried to prevent them from organizing mass meeting and protest rally at Hanumandhoka, Basantapur area Saturday afternoon, a Nepalnews correspondent on the scene said. According to preliminary reports, Police have taken into custody over 100 leaders and activists as they defied the prohibitive orders and chanted anti-king slogans. The opposition activists unfurled flags of their parties and demanded restoration of peace and democracy in the country. The opposition parties said police used force and took into custody hundreds of their party leaders and workers. The authorities have not said anything regarding the latest arrests. Those arrested at Basantapur include Nepali Congress leaders Mahantha Thakur, Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Mahesh Acharya; UML leaders Yubaraj Gyawali, Jana Morcha Nepal leaders Ghanshyam Poudel and Shahsi Shrestha, Nepali Congress (Democratic) leader Krishna Kishore Ghimire, former president of NC-affiliated Nepal Students Union Gururaj Ghimire, former vice chancellor of Tribhuvan University Navin Prakash Jung Shah, president of Nepal University Teachers Association Dr. Khagendra Bhattarai, among others. Police Inspector Dinesh beat up journalist Diwakar Pant affiliated with Himal media, according to our correspondent. Police threw dozens of tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd. They also exchanged brickbats with the demonstrators. Hundreds of security personnel were deployed in and around Basantapur and police have erected barricades at New Road gate barring movement of vehicles in the busy business district. The opposition alliance had announced that it would organize protest rally and mass meeting at Basantapur at 2:00 p. m. on Saturday after the government arrested over 100 opposition leaders and rights activists early Thursday and imposed a day-long curfew apparently to foil the huge mass meeting planned by the opposition parties at the same venue on Friday. Police have also intervened into a peaceful demonstration being organized by artistes, litterateurs and writers at New Baneswore this afternoon. Those arrested from peaceful demo include folk singer Nanda Krishna Joshi, according to reports. Nepalnews.com by Jan 21 06