Maoists launch indefinite anti-govt general strike in Nepal

Nepal's opposition Maoists today launched an indefinite nationwide general strike with an aim to topple the multi-party government with which they failed to reach any power-sharing deal, a day after tens of thousands of their cadres poured onto the streets in a massive show of strength.

Factories and markets were shut down while schools and colleges remained closed and vehicular movement halted as thousands of Maoist cadres demonstrated in different parts of the capital city, shouting anti-government slogans since early this morning.

The final examinations for students of 12th standard were also disrupted in various parts of the country due to the general strike, officials said.

During the Unified CPN-Maoists' grand 'May Day' rally yesterday, their chairman Prachanda had announced that the former rebels would go for an indefinite general strike if the 22-party coalition government headed by Premier Madhav Kumar Nepal was not dissolved to pave the way for a new Maoist-led dispensation.

During their massive rally yesterday, Maoist cadres dressed in red shouted slogans like 'Topple the Puppet Government and Form Maoist-led national government', 'Madhav Nepal Quit the Country', 'Protect National Independence', and 'Foil Conspiracy Hatched by Regressive Forces'.

Though the Maoists have 35% seats -- the single largest party -- in the 601-member Parliament, they have failed to garner support of other political groups to form a government under their leadership.

Major political parties including Nepali Congress, Nepal Communist Party-Unified Marxist Leninist and Nepal Sadbhavana
Party have asked the Maoists to turn their organisation into a civilian party, return properties seized by the former rebels, dissolve their para-military group called the Young Communist League (YCL), before they could consider supporting a government led by the Maoists. Two rounds of talks held among three major parties, including the Nepali Congress (NC) and Maoists, failed to produce any outcome as the former rebels stuck to their one-point demand of dissolving the ruling coalition and forming a new government under their leadership, according to NC general secretary Bimalendra Nidhi.

The strike today also paralysed normal life in Terai area bordering India and hilly districts, besides the capital city.

However, the Maoists agitation so far remained peaceful as the government has deployed a large number of police and Armed Police Force personnel, stepping up security across the country.

Maoists have said they would allow movement of water tankers, vehicles containing dairy products, ambulances and press cars  during their strike. They would also allow markets to open between 6 pm and 8 pm to allow people to purchase essential goods.

The Maoists' strike, which comes despite prime minister Nepal's last minute call for them to withdraw it and assurance that all their demands will be addressed through peaceful dialogue, has threatened to jeopardise the four-year-old peace process in Nepal.

The crisis may deepen further when Nepal's Constituent Assembly's term expires on May 28 with a new Constitution unlikely to be prepared before that deadline. Political parties are also not expected to reach a consensus on its extension.