King of Nepal isolates country from world

KATMANDU, Nepal -- 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.\nBritain and India both expressed concern, saying the king's actions undermined democracy.\nThis 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.\nKing Gyanendra denied his takeover was a coup, although soldiers surrounded the houses of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and other government leaders.\nThe 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, according to a statement from the Narayanhiti Palace.\n"We will oppose this step," Deuba, who was not allowed to leave his home, told reporters. "The move directly violates the constitution and is against democracy."\nNepali Congress, the country's largest party, said the king had "pushed the country toward further complications" and called for a demonstration.\nIndia, Nepal's southern neighbor and close ally, also criticized the king.\n"These developments constitute a serious setback to the cause of democracy in Nepal and cannot but be a cause of grave concern to India," India's foreign ministry said. "The safety and welfare of the political leaders must be ensured, and political parties must be allowed to exercise all the rights enjoyed by them under the constitution."\nIndia said the king had violated Nepal's constitution, which enshrines a multiparty democracy alongside a constitutional monarchy.\nBritain expressed similar concerns.\n"This action will increase the risk of instability in Nepal, undermining the institutions of democracy and constitutional monarchy in the country. We call for the immediate restitution of multiparty democracy and appeal for calm and restraint on all sides during this difficult time," said Foreign Office Minister Douglas Alexander.\nArmored vehicles with mounted machine guns patrolled the streets of Katmandu, Nepal's capital, and phone lines in the city had been cut. Many flights into the city were canceled, although the airport remained open.\nLong lines quickly formed at grocery stores and gas stations, as worried residents stocked up on supplies.\n"We are so confused. We don't know what is going on or what will happen," said Narayan Thapa, a government worker. "I am worried I can't reach my family on the phone."\nIn an announcement on state-run television, the king accused the government of failing to conduct parliamentary elections and to restore peace in the country beset by rebel violence.\n"A new cabinet will be formed under my leadership," he said. "This will restore peace and effective democracy in this country within the next three years"