Kathmandu, March 29 -- Two mass demonstrations were slated for Friday. One under the Socialist Front, and the other led by pro-monarchy forces. Both demonstrations started at the same time.

The bigger one by the front-with the CPN (Maoist Centre), the CPN (Unified Socialist), the Nepal Samajbadi Party and the Netra Bikram Chand's Communist Party of Nepal as its members-was held at Bhrikutimandap. It concluded peacefully after speeches by leaders of the four parties.

However, the pro-monarchy demonstration at Tinkune near Koteshwar in Kathmandu, with a lower turnout, turned violent with two people killed and several others injured. Properties worth millions of rupees were burnt, destroyed and looted by monarchy supporters.

Chhabi Rijal,...