Maoist strike paralyses normal life across Nepal

Kathmandu, May 2 (ANI): Normal life crippled across Nepal on Sunday following an indefinite general strike call given by the opposition Unified Communist Party of Nepal UCPN) Maoist.

The Maoists have enforced the indefinite strike as part of their pre-announced agitation to press Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) or CPN-UML-led coalition government to step down and form a new national consensus government in their leadership.

Maoist cadres, carrying party flag, thronged the major inter-junctions in the capital including Koteshwor, Chabahil, Gaushala, Maharajgunj, Gongabu, Kalanki, Balkhu, Satdobato, Padmodaya, Baneshowr, Ratnapark, Tripureshowr, among other places.

According to police sources, over 15,000 security forces have been deployed in capital city to maintain law and order.

Earlier, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal described the UCPN (Maoist)'s street protests as "meaningless" and accused them of trying to create anarchy in the country.

Addressing the nation on Saturday evening, Nepal said the strike would weaken democracy and added that new constitution could not be made and the republic could not be institutionalised.

Saying that no government could leave the nation in chaos, Nepal reiterated that neither he would step down nor his government.

"It is the responsibility of all state bodies to enforce the democratic procedure, rule of law, peace and security and maintain harmony in the society," Kantipur reported him as saying. (ANI)