Sunday, February 5 2006 15:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

(Kathmandu) Nepal: A general strike called by Maoist rebels in Nepal to disrupt the upcoming local body polls paralysed normal life across the Himalayan Kingdom with educational institutes and businesses remaining close on the first day of the week-long stir today (Feb 05 2006).

The seven-party opposition alliance and two pro-King parties have also decided to boycott the February 8 polls despite the Government's assurance of providing 'reliable security.'

Schools, colleges and markets were close, most of the factories did not operate and public and private vehicles were off the road today despite mobilisation of all security agencies, including army and police, by the government to foil the strike. Long route buses to and from Kathmadu also did not operate due to the strike.

In Kathmandu, Government took licences and even keys of hundreds of micro buses and taxis on the eve of the strike and threatened to take action against those drivers who did not defy the Maoists' strike, but very few vehicles could be seen on the road with their number plates covered due to the fear of Maoist reprisal.

Security personnel were heavily deployed in the capital Kathmandu with the Government claiming that the security forces will reach within five minutes in case of any attack on candidates.