Police in Nepal have arrested at least 350 demonstrators demanding the return of democracy.
Marchers Friday chanted anti-monarchy slogans and condemned King Gyanendra's seizure of power in February. Several former members of parliament and government ministers were among those arrested in Kathmandu, where protesters disrupted business in the capital's main shopping area.
Friday's nationwide protest came on the 15th anniversary of the establishment of multi-party democracy in Nepal. Meanwhile, the Nepalese army says it killed 50 Maoist rebels during an insurgent attack on a military base in the Rukum district overnight Thursday. Nine soldiers were wounded. There has been no comment from the rebels.
King Gyanendra dismissed the government in February, saying it did little to stop the Maoists, who want to overthrow the monarchy in favor of a communist state.