General Strike shuts down Nepal

General Strike shuts down Nepal
Monday, April 28, 2003
The Hindu, India

Kathmandu, April 28. (UNI): Markets and educational institutions were closed and vehicles went off the roads today across the Himalayan kingdom, including the capital city Kathmandu, due to the nationwide strike called by seven Students Unions to protest the price hike in petroleum products and the murder of a student leader. In the third strike over the past week, markets downed their shutters and vehicles went off the roads, which saw heavy security presence.

Despite the ban on torchlight processions in Kathmandu valley, students led protest rallies in some parts of the city last night. The students are demanding withdrawal of the price hike in petroleum products, election of the students unions in campuses and to protest the killing of a student leader in Butwal.

The government ban on the student agitation covers Kathmandu including the vicinity of the royal palace, Singhdurbar area, King's previous residence Nirmal Niwas Maharajgunj, foreign ministry, ministers residential and UNDP areas.

"The local administration and police have been instructed to arrest and take strict action against those engaging in any kind of violence, vandalism and destructive activities, " the Home Ministry said.

Due to the class twelve examinations the Students Union has called off tomorrow's strike.

The strike was called by the Maoists affiliated Students Union to protest the killing of two students arrested during the agitation the past few days.

Two decapitated bodies were found in Hetauda which the All Nepal Independents Students Union (Revolutionary), a Maoists affiliated students wing, claims was that of the students who were killed by security forces.