Kathmandu: At least 16 Maoists were killed in a fresh wave of violence in Nepal which remained paralysed for the second day today (Sep 29, 2004) following a strike called by the rebels, casting a shadow on the Government's peace overtures.

All five zones in Central and Eastern parts, including Kathmandu valley, were badly affected as schools and colleges were closed, major markets were shut down and vehicles remained off the road due to the Maoist threat which had prompted the Government to sound a major security alert in the country.

However, some private vehicles plied covering their number plates in Kathmandu.

Nepalese Army statement said four Maoists were killed today while 12 were shot dead on the first day of the strike yesterday.

Though the strike remained largely peaceful in the valley, it dampened the enthusiasm associated with the week-long Hindu festival Indrajatra which begun on Monday.

Domestic air services were badly hit by the strike, but international flights remained largely unaffected.

The two-day strike brought more bad news for Nepal's ailing tourism industry. Most of the tourists were confined to hotel rooms.

"Our hotel was just recovering from a month long strike last month, the two day shut down has further hit the business," said a marketing staff at five star Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today condemned the Maoist attack on vehicles carrying delegates of Food Caravan March, including Indians, in Dhading district.