Maoist General Strike enters second day - Kathmandu, Nepal

The second day of general strike called by the Unified CPN (Maoist) as part of its fourth phase agitation against the government has further crippled normal life across the country, Monday.

The strike has been generally peaceful so far with no major incidence of violence, but normal life has been thrown out of gear due to lack of transportation. Markets, offices, factories and educational institutions continue to remain closed.

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.

Many people are seen walking on the streets to reach their destinations, while many others are staying back at home and taking stock of the bandh through media.

Due to the lack of transportation, the prices of essential products have sky-rocketed, too.

The Maoists have allowed vehicles of essential use such as press, ambulances, garbage collectors, and vehicles of diplomatic agencies.

In the evening tension has gripped the Gangabu area in the capital, after a clash erupted between the Maoist activists and police. The clash ensued after the agitating Maoist activists vandalised a motor cycle at Samakhusi for defying the strike.

Police fired two rounds in the air and burst tear gas shells to disperse the angry crowd and take the situation under control.

No injuries or other physical damages have been reported as yet.