Nepal's Maoist rebels launch strike and Kathmandu blockade

The rebels launched the action to mark 10 years since the start of their "people's war" to topple Nepal's monarchy, a campaign that has claimed nearly 11,000 lives in the Himalayan nation.

The blockade, enforced through threats of violence, has started to slow traffic in and out of Kathmandu. Army trucks are reportedly escorting some vehicles travelling outside the capital in defiance of the strike.

Traffic and business in the city has been largely unaffected but a similar blockade last August triggered price rises on basic foods and fuel. It was lifted after businesses, human rights groups and ordinary citizens complained of increasing hardship.

The Maoists regard the latest blockade as a direct challenge to the autocratic rule of Nepal's King Gyanendra. Two weeks ago, the king dismissed the government, censored the press and suppressed dissent, saying he had to take full control in response to the uprising.

Several ministers in the king's hand-picked administration have said the palace is willing to hold talks with the Maoists, but the rebels have rejected this. "Gyanendra has pushed the country into darkness. There is no justification for immediate talks," said Prachanda, the Maoist's elusive leader, in a statement to local media.

Neighbouring India and the US have again urged the king to restore multi-party democracy. New Delhi recalled its ambassador for "consultations", while James Moriarty, US envoy, warned that its military and humanitarian aid could be suspended if the king did not restore basic freedoms.

India and the US are the main arms suppliers to Nepal's army, which is controlled by the king. But human rights groups have criticised donors for ignoring army abuses.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has urged all sides in the conflict to uphold the Geneva Convention, which prohibits murder, summary execution, torture, rape, cruel treatment and hostage taking. Yet rights groups say such acts are widespread in Nepal because the Maoist's guerrilla war has blurred the lines between soldiers and civilians. And, with the country's press censored, many fear a critical oversight of the army's accountability has been removed.

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