Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba made the request of the king after the ruling Nepalese Congress Party of which he is a member voted against extension of emergency rule. The party majority, led by a former prime minister, argued that a new anti-terrorist law gave the government all the power it needed to fight an insurgent group that calls itself Maoist and which seeks an end to the constitutional monarchy. With Deuba intent on extending the state of emergency, the party expelled him from membership May 26.

Facing wider attacks by the rebel forces last November, the king sent the Prime Minister of Nepal

army to join police for the first time in battling the insurgents. Since then press reports indicate some 2,000 have died in the fighting. In one a battle in early May government forces say they killed 500 people.

The anti-terrorist law gives the government power to detain people for up to 90 days without trial and to restrict freedom of movement. With the state of emergency powers the regime can also restrict freedom of expression and assembly. Police are allowed to arrest anyone they suspect of sympathizing with the Maoist forces. Outside news reports indicate that with freedom of the press suspended there has been little independent coverage of government actions.

The government rejected a call by rebel leaders for peace talks in early May and instead appealed for military support from Washington and London. Deuba met with U.S. president George Bush in New York. Bush is proposing $20 million in military aid to Nepal. In April the Pentagon sent a team of 15 U.S. military officers to the country to "assess the situation" and advise the government on a course of action. U.S. secretary of state Colin Powell visited the kingdom in January.

Deuba has said elections for a new parliament will be held November 13. Until then he can rule by decree.  
 
 
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