My memories of Kathmandu, and Nepal generally, are positive. I know it as a peaceful city where people, including tourists, can walk safely. It is not rich but its inhabitants seem pleasant and friendly. It was not always this way. Kathmandu has a history of human rights abuse that, for its size, rival China. Stories of torture and state sanctioned assasinations are easy to find.

It seems that the dark days are returning, democracy is crumbling. The current King, installed after the murder of most of the royal family by the prince, is shifting the country back to its repressive past. He has ignored the popularly elected government and installed his own. The government has been rounding up and imprisoning activists. Over 1,000 were arrested in Kathmandu yesterday. Here is a photo of some of the typical activists arrested. We can expect some of them to disappear forever. Others will be unusually quiet and subdued after they reappear.

"Long live democracy!" and "Down with the king's repression!" protesters shouted out as they were driven away by police to the Dasharath football stadium, converted into a makeshift jail, according to news agency AFP.