Strike shuts down schools, markets and transport in Nepal

KATHMANDU, Nepal – A general strike called by a small communist party demanding that the government release its supporters detained after previous protests shut down schools, markets and transportation in Nepal on Thursday.

Police said 28 more supporters of the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) were arrested as they attempted to enforce the strike forcing vehicles off the streets in the capital, Kathmandu.

They torched a taxi and vandalized a public van in Kathmandu but no one was hurt. Two men posing as passengers sprayed the taxi with gasoline and set it on fire but the driver managed to escape.

Government offices were still open and workers walked to their offices.

But many drivers were refusing to drive their vehicles and businesses were shut fearing attacks from strike organizers who generally attack those defying their strike calls.

The party which is a splinter group of the main Maoist party that is part of the government. The Maoists are former communist rebels who fought government troops for 10 years before entering mainstream politics in 2006.

Security has been stepped up and riot police are guarding the main streets of Kathmandu.