The district administration offices (DAO) of Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts imposed curfew in the capital coming into effect from 2:00 a.m. Thursday morning till 8:00 p.m. of the same day.

The DAOs, issuing a notice on Wednesday, imposed the curfew orders that will remain effective within the ring road area of the Kathmandu Valley and 200 metres outside the ring road. The curfew orders have come for the day when the seven-agitating parties are planning to stage, what is thought to be, the biggest showdown so far in recent days.

Meanwhile, Gyanendra is expected to address the nation by as late as Friday to call the political parties for the formation of an interim government. The king, with the address to the nation, is likely to appoint a prime minister who will head the interim government that would include the agitating parties as well. The parties are, however, yet to announce whether they would join in the interim government, which will hold parliamentary elections or even reinstate the dissolved parliament to resolve the crisis.