Rally in Thamel today Tourists rally in Pokhara POKHARA, April 10 - Police on Sunday evening indiscriminately beat up a Japanese tourist and tourism entrepreneur here in the scenic city of Pokhara. Japanese tourist Toksang was beaten whilst returning to his hotel after curfew had been relaxed in the city. The hotel owner Gobind Pahari, who had also accompanied him on a visit to another hotel for food was also targeted in the attack. "Police personnel arrived in a vehicle and attacked us abruptly as we were about to enter our hotel," said Pahari, owner of Jiyo Hotel. Police personnel continued hitting his face using a torch-light to illuminate it. Toksang, who sustained serious injury, declined to talk to journalists on Monday morning. He was shivering with fear of further violence from police. "I am feeling pain. Please do not take my photograph. And do not ask me about the incident," said Toksang. The Japanese tourist had been staying in Pokhara for the last ten days. Meanwhile, protesting against the brutality of security personnel, foreign tourists on Monday evening took out a candle light procession at Lakeside, Pokhara. Issuing separate press statements, various human rights organizations and Hotel Association of Nepal denounced the beating. Meanwhile, foreign tourists coming to Nepal are staging a peaceful protest rally in the tourist hub of Thamel at 4:00 pm Tuesday afternoon to show their solidarity with the Nepalis' struggle for democracy and human rights, according to a press release issued here Monday. According to a statement issued by the Free International Tourists (FIT), the tourists from "all countries are called upon to show solidarity with the Nepali people and their struggle for peace, democracy and human rights". The tourists are gathering at Thamel Chowk and are leading the rally to Tridevi Marg, according to Johannis Jappen, a German tourist, who is one of the organizers. http://kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=70831