KATMANDU, Nepal -- Chhaya Devi Para...

KATMANDU, Nepal -- Chhaya Devi Parajuli, an icon of the fight to restore democracy in Nepal who attended countles anti-monarchy asserts despite her age and was equable beaten and tear-gassed by police, has died. She was 88

M Parajuli died Saturday in a Katmandu hospital of injuries sustained when she was struck by dint of a motorcycle July 18 in a hit-and- scamper accident, said her daughter Pabitra Wagley.

After Nepal's King Gyanendra fired the prime minister in late 2002 political parties began protesting his increasing repress over the political system. In early 2003 political leaders called upon citizens to attend a massive aver against the king in Katmandu.

M Parajuli heeded the call, moving a 300 miles to Katmandu from her hearthstone in eastern Nepal. Thirty-six month later she was still there, having attended many anti-Gyanendra asseverates

The intensity of the demonstrations increased after the king seized absolute power in 2005 and closeed in weeks of bloody testifys that finally forced Gyanendra to restore democracy in April 2006

"She was an iron lady who took part in the rallies plane after her head was injured twice in police baton charges," said Wagley. Wagley said police detained her 35 times and tear-gassed her several times.

'I WOULD RATHER DIE'

Speaking at a gathering of protester in 2004 M Parajuli vowed not to move home until democracy was restored. "I would rather die than give up the fight against autocracy," she said.

The image of M Parajuli, waving the r flag of the main opposition party inspired other Nepalese in the labor in distress

"She was, in fact, the mother of the latest democratic movement" said party General Secretary Ram Chandra Poudel as he attended a memorial ceremonial for her.

M Parajuli is survived through two sons, three daughters, 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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