Thousands of Maoists waving red flags and chanting anti-government slogans paralysed the functioning of the Nepalese government for the second day in running as they continued to lay siege of the Central Secretariat.
As the Maoists leaders continued to surround the main government administrative complex Singhdurbar, the government put the army on high alert to guard against any possibility of the former rebels entering the Secretariat.
Demanding the ouster of 22 party coalition led by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and President Ram Baran Yadav, Maoists leader Prachanda threatened if their call for ’civilian supremacy’ was not met, they will enforce a nation-wide shutdown.
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Despite the blockade, many ministers and several government staff managed to enter the main administrative complex an hour before the Maoists cadres assembled on Friday.
The government has mobilised Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel in view of yesterday’s clashes at Singhdurbar that left over 50 people including senior Maoist leaders injured.