In a bid to intensity their indefinite nationwide general strike which began on Sunday, the UCPN (Maoist) has said it would not allow Ministers to enter their offices from Wednesday. “We will not allow the Ministers to enter Singha Darbar,” said party vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha on Tuesday. In November last year, the party had blocked all entry points of the Singha Darbar, where major Ministries of the government are located, protesting against President Ram Baran Yadav's decision to reinstate the then Army Chief Rookmangud Katawal.
Though discussions have been held among the political parties to end the present crisis, no solution is reached. The Maoists demand the resignation of Prime Minster Madhav Kumar Nepal and formation of a national government under their leadership. Meanwhile, as the strike entered the third day, normal life across the country remained affected.
On Tuesday, some shops that were opened were vandalized as the cadres said the shopkeepers defied their orders.
Nepal's' major industry, tourism is also affected by the ongoing strike.
