Strike by splinter rebel group hits southeast Nepal

Kathmandu, Feb 21: A splinter group of Nepal's former Maoist rebels launched a general strike in the Himalayan nation's southern plains today to press for more regional autonomy, crippling life in several districts, witnesses said.

The Janatantrik Terai Liberation Front, which split from the main Maoist group in 2004, called a three-day shutdown from Wednesday of public transport, markets and schools in its southeastern stronghold.

The strike is the latest unrest to hit the plains of the Terai, where at least 25 people have been killed this year in protests by ethnic Madhesi people demanding more jobs in the government, army and police.

The violence has undermined a peace process between the government and former Maoist rebels to end a decade-old civil war in which some 13,000 people died.

''Streets are deserted and there is no one in the markets as shops are completely closed,'' said Shiva Hari Bhattarai, a resident from Rajbiraj, a town some 175 km southeast of Kathmandu.

He said the protesters carried out night rallies with torches to scare residents into staying indoors.

''There is no report of violence so far but all shops are shuttered and highways are empty,'' police officer Manoj Yadav said from the neighbouring town of Lahan.

Terai is Nepal's agricultural and industrial hub that supplies essential foodstuffs and goods like fuel to the highlands of Nepal, including Kathmandu.

In a further sign of unrest in Terai, the Madhesi People's Rights Forum, a group behind the most of the protests this year and not linked to the splinter Maoist rebels, has decided to resume strikes from Monday.

The forum had suspended its protests last week after Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala promised to meet some of its demands for autonomy and jobs.

But the group now says the government is not sincere about talks.

The forum's leaders also want Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula, who is accused of using excessive force against protesters, to resign before talks can start.

Former Maoist fighters also threatened on Wednesday to leave camps they are staying in under the peace deal, demanding the government give them more support.

Reuters