22 Held in Attack on Queen’s Car in Nepal
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KATMANDU, Nepal — Twenty-two persons were arrested Friday for protesting and stoning a limousine carrying Queen Aishwarya, two of her children and her sister, authorities said.
The royal family, which was en route to the Temple of Pashupati Nath for the festival of Teej, was not injured in the incident Thursday, although the queen’s vehicle was badly damaged, the Home Ministry said.
Leaders of two political parties in the interim government denounced the incident.
“Such incidents, which devalue democratic values, individual freedom and respect, are uncivilized and deplorable,” said Ganesh Man Singh, the leader of the Nepali Congress. “Such incidents will only help elements who want to destabilize the new democracy,” he said.
Jibraj Ashrit, leader of Nepal’s Communist Party, called the attack “a deplorable act.”
Police, who said officers fired their weapons into the air to disperse the protesters during the nighttime attack, estimated the slogan-shouting mob at about 60 people. One security officer was injured by a stone, police said.
The crowd shouted “Down with the queen!” and denounced groups loyal to King Birendra, the world’s only Hindu monarch.
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