Maoists blockade affects life in Nepal

Kathmandu, Mar 15 (UNI) Vehicles remained off the road, despite presence of securitymen, as the Maoist blockade crippled life in and around the capital.

Despite heavy presence of security personnel on Prithvi highway, the main road leading to Kathmandu, to provide security to the vehicles plying to and out of Kathmandu, movement of vehicles was limited, BBC quoted an official and local people as saying.

''Only 175 vehicles, including 35 motorcycles and eight ambulances, entered the valley while 299 vehicles, including 118 motorcycles, left the capital through Nagdhunga, the main entry point to Kathmandu,'' Kantipur quoted an official as saying.

More than 3,200 vehicles ply through the area on a normal day.

There was no vehicle in operation in Chitwan district, the centre of the east west highway, reports said.

Long-route vehicles were not in operation in major towns outside the Kathmandu valley, whereas short-route vehicles could be seen plying, the reports added.

Meanwhile, major political parties have urged the Maoists to withdraw the blockade, saying ''it seriously affects the life of general public''.

Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) have appealed to the Maoists to immediately withdraw the blockade keeping in view the movement launched by the seven parties alliance and the grievances of the people.

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