Nearly three weeks after King Gyanendra assumed absolute power, Nepal on Friday marked its Democracy Day with political activists holding anti-government demonstrations.

The authorities once again cut telephone lines in an apprarent bid to scuttle the protests.

At least 14 people were arrested when over a hundred protestors held demonstrations raising slogans against authoritarian rule and absolute monarchy.

The protestors demanded restoration of democracy and fundamental rights in the kingdom.

Those arrested included Nepal Congress' former members of Parliament Hari Bhakta Adhikari, Mina Pandey and Mukti Prasad Sharma, party sources said.

Man Bahadur Bishwokarma, president of Nepal Dalit Association, which is affiliated to the Nepali Congress, was also among those arrested.

Public buses and microbuses were also stopped from entering the capital to prevent protestors from gathering in large numbers.