Nepalese Maoists warn of Kathmandu blockade
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Aug 11, IRNA -- After a series of blockades in the remote districts, Maoists Tuesday announced an indefinite blockade of Kathmandu from August 18. A statement issued in the name of Subash Tamang, head of the Maoist-affiliated United Revolutionary People`s Council of Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts, said the major entry points in and around Kathmandu and its adjoining districts, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur, would be blocked indefinitely. The blockade was to protest the killing of Maoist leaders from the districts and force the government to disclose the whereabouts of arrested leaders, the local press reported here on Wednesday. News of the blockade comes even as the Nepalese Army has announced it would launch ground and aerial strikes in the western Achham district, a Maoist stronghold, from Wednesday. Meanwhile, India has asked Nepal to provide protection to Indo- Nepalese joint ventures based in the country. An Indian embassy official said: "We have sought full security for Surya Nepal and other joint ventures. We have taken serious note of the Moaist threats." Currently there are about 85 Indian joint ventures in Nepal. The Maoists have threatened to shut down the firms from August 17, accusing them of collaborating with "feudal" rulers and exploiting workers. Maoists have been struggling to establish a communist-style government in Nepal to replace the constitutional monarchy. More than 10,000 people have been killed in the insurgency since 1996. 2160/2321/1432
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