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Normal life across Nepal crippled as Maoist imposed general strike

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, May 3, IRNA – Maoist led indefinite general strike seriouly crippled normal time across Nepal on Monday, the second consecutive day.

The Maoist-imposed indefinite general strike demands the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.

In Kathmandu streets remained deserted as vehicles stayed off roads and shops and business establishments downed shutters. Police remained vigilant at places where Maoists held demonstrations, said media reports received.

Large number of Maoist cadres brought from various districts to Kathmandu are staging demonstrations on the streets of Kathmandu by singing, dancing and occasionally chanting slogans against the government.

In a bid to prevent the crisis from precipitating further, leaders of political parties held several meetings on Monday as well. But no end to impasse is in sight.

The Maoist strike is aimed at removing the government and setting up a national unity government to ensure that the peace and constitution drafting processes get completed before the May 28 deadline.

After tripartite meetings failed to end the deadlock on Sunday, leaders of ruling Nepali Congress and CPN(UML) and opposition UCPN(M) remained busy in bilateral meetings on Monday.

UCPN (M) chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ met NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel in the morning, followed by another at CPN (UML) chief Jhalanath Khanal’s residence.

He also met several other NC leaders later in the day. Leaders of the three major parties will again meet on Tuesday to try and arrive at a consensus.

Maoists are demanding Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s resignation as a pre-condition to call of the strike while the ruling parties want the main opposition to end the strike before agreeing to any demand.

The talks centre on constitution of a national unity government, power sharing, integration of former Maoist rebels in the Nepal Army and extension of tenure of the constituent assembly.

Another meeting of the 10 major parties in the ruling coalition held at the Prime Minister’s residence reiterated support to the government and asked Madhav Kumar Nepal not to quit office.