Maoists in Nepal lead strike to force government to quit

KATHMANDU, Nepal - Maoist opposition supporters armed with bamboo sticks enforced a general strike that closed transportation, schools, and markets across Nepal on Sunday to demand the prime minister's resignation.

Thousands of supporters of the former communist rebels marched in the capital, Kathmandu, waving sticks and the political party's red flag. They gathered at main intersections, chanting antigovernment slogans. Few vehicles were on the streets, and people had to walk to their destinations. Reports said there was scattered vandalism, but no injuries.

On Saturday, the Maoists staged a rally of about 125,000 people in Kathmandu, but Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal refused their demands that he resign and be replaced by a Maoist-led government. He said the Himalayan country's political crisis should be resolved through dialogue.

The Maoists have been seeking to oust the government for months, although this is the first time they have imposed an indefinite strike.

The standoff has raised fears of renewed violence in Nepal, where the Maoists ended their decade-old insurgency and joined a peace process in 2006. They won elections in 2008 and briefly led a coalition government, but an army chief's firing split the coalition.

Home Ministry spokesman Jay Mukund Khanal said the general strike had shut down much of the country. The international airport was open, but most people had to walk there carrying their luggage. The government provided foreign tourists with free shuttle buses from the airport to hotels.

Maoists allowed shops and markets to open for two hours in the evening for people to buy food and supplies. Residents rushed to buy vegetables, meat, and rice.

A Maoist coordinating the protests in Kathmandu said they were prepared to shut down the nation for days until their demands were met. "We are protesting peacefully. But if the authorities try to provoke us . . . we are ready and prepared to retaliate," said Chandra Bahadur Thapa.

Thousands of police in riot gear closely watched the marchers. The government said it was prepared to use force to stop any violence, but police reported none Sunday.