Ahead of a four-day strike called by a 7-party political alliance to mount pressure on King Gnanendra to bring back democracy in Nepal, the Government has tightened terrorism laws through a Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Ordinance (TADO). This ordinance makes any association with the Maoist terrorists an offense that could invite at a minimum a fine of Nepali Rs. 50,000 and a 3-year jail sentence.

Political parties and human rights groups fear that Gnanendra will use this rule to target political parties who earned the support of the terrorists through their unilateral ceasefire . A journalist coalition touring the nation said that the media is under siege both from the Government as well as by the terrorist elements.

However, Gnanendra rejects these criticisms saying that the country has seen over and over again the terrorists using public rallies as means to infiltrate the Capital and attack sensitive and soft targets.