Maoist strike cripples normal life in rural Nepal

Rupandehi (Nepal), Apr 3 :

A nationwide strike called by Nepal’s Maoists against King Gyanendra’s seizure of power has paralysed life for a second day on Sunday in Nepal. Normal life in the district of Rupandehi situated at the India-Nepal border was thrown off gear with fresh incidents of violence and a string of bomb blasts rocking different regions of the embattled kingdom.

The rebels called the 11-day strike on Saturday to protest against King Gyanendra’s seizing of power two months ago and the subsequent arrests of political leaders and suspension of civil rights. Officials say that the impact of the strike is more apparent in rural areas, where the Maoists regularly enforce strikes and blockades, with the otherwise busy market area bearing a deserted appearance with most shops downing their shutters fearing violence.

“On one hand the army talks of opening the shops. Some of the shops were even broken into. Traders are on the run. The whole market is empty due to the 11-day strike declared by the Maoists. Some people in the border areas tried to get out of the place, “ said Anil Kumar, from the India Nepal Friendship Group.

Cross border movement of traffic was also minimal with trucks ferrying goods between India and Nepal remaining grounded. Amar Singh, a truck driver, said: “As long as the road doesn’t open we would stay here. We can’t go back or unload the goods here. So we have to stay here until the road opens, where else can we go?

Residents also said that the strike had disrupted life in the Nepalgunj where a string of bomb blasts late on Friday killed one person and wounded 19 others. (ANI) Sphere: Related Content