Dozens of large hoardings preaching democracy messages by Nepal's King Gyanendra are to be pulled down after his powers were slashed by a resurgent parliament, a report said on Monday.
KATHMANDU: Dozens of large hoardings preaching democracy messages by Nepal's King Gyanendra are to be pulled down after his powers were slashed by a resurgent parliament, a report said on Monday.
Some 149 billboards beside main roads in the capital Kathmandu are to be taken away in a "few days" after becoming targets of a popular revolt against the king's absolute rule last month, officials told The Kathmandu Post.
Previous monarchs have put up hoardings for the last 40 years with messages promoting harmony but King Gyanendra's messages of human rights and multi-party democracy came after he seized absolute power in February 2005.
Officials said it gave a false impression that the king was committed to democracy while running the country, despite arresting opposition leaders and cracking down on the media.
Some of the billboards were destroyed during 19 days of anti-monarchy protests in April and the king's name was erased on many before King Gyanendra was forced to recall parliament after a four-year gap.
"We have decided to remove all hoarding boards carrying the king's quotations considering people's vehement dissatisfaction against the king during the recent democratic uprising," Department of Information official Kedar Bhattarai told the newspaper.
Legislators last week took away many of the king's powers including control of the army and ended Nepal's status as the world's last Hindu kingdom by declaring a secular state.
As part of moves to play down the king's role in Nepal, officials said they started taking down the hoardings Sunday which include about nine in English on the main road from the king's palace to the international airport.
One close to the king's palace in the centre of Kathmandu reads: "Only meaningful multi-party democracy can be an effective means of governance by the people."
Other hoardings, that cost 11,000 rupees (150 dollars) each to put up in cash-strapped Nepal, spoke of issues including human rights, harmonious co-existence between the people and the royals, and terrorism.
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