[JURIST] Nepalese police on Saturday used tear gas to disperse protesters gathered to demand democratic reforms in the country after King Gyanendra [BBC profile] seized power [JURIST report] from the interim government last year. Many of Saturday's protesters threw stones and fought with police, and as many as 300 students were taken away in police vehicles [BBC report]. On Thursday, the government arrested [JURIST report] activists and opposition party leaders in an attempt to shut down the anti-government rally before it started. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, as well as the Human Rights Chief for Nepal, has voiced dismay [Reuters report] at the widespread political arrests on the eve of the demonstration and has called on all sides to resume talks [UN News report]. The US has also condemned the arrests [State Dept. statement; Times of India report]. AP has more.