Thousands of pro-democracy activists in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, have clashed with police, battling tear gas and batons with bricks, stones and anti-monarchy slogans.
Some 200 protesters opposed to King Gyanendra's seizure of absolute power were arrested and several others injured in the clashes.
Wednesday's protests began just hours after authorities released more than 500 people detained during a similar rally a day earlier.
Protesters demanding the restoration of democracy in the world's only Hindu kingdom have held daily rallies since last week.
Also Wednesday, in an unrelated development, Maoist rebels freed 60 Nepalese soldiers held captive since their abduction on August seventh. The soldiers were handed over to representatives of the Red Cross at a remote village northwest of Kathmandu.
