Monday, January 16 2006 19:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Authorities in Nepal's capital have imposed a curfew covering more than a million residents following the weekend death of at least 12 policemen in clashes with Maoist rebels, a city official said today (Jan 16, 2006).

"A curfew has been imposed inside the ring road from 11 pm to 4 am due to security reasons," said Sushil Ghimiri, chief district officer of Kathmandu.

The curfew will be enforced by armed police and the army and they will have permission to shoot people breaking it.

"In the event of an emergency, residents can call the police and get permission to go outside," Ghimiri said.

The area where the curfew has been imposed has around 1.4 million residents.