Friday, April 7 2006 11:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Nepal's seven party pro-democracy alliance today (Apr 7, 2006) vowed to press ahead with its nationwide strike against King Gyanendra's direct rule that has paralysed life across the Himalayan Kingdom.

As the four-day anti-King strike entered the second day, vehicles were off the road and schools, colleges and markets were shut down.

The agitators have planned more protest rallies in different parts of Kathmandu today as a warm up for tomorrow's massive protest rally in Basanatpur in the heart of the city, party sources said.

"We are encouraged by people's enthusiastic participation in yesterday's (Apr 6, 2006) strike and demonstrations," said Arjun Narsingh K.C., Nepali Congress central member.

"The agitation will continue till the King returns power to the people and full-fledged democracy is returned," he said.

Life was severely affected in major cities throughout the country yesterday as thousands took out anti-King rallies and clashed with the riot police resulting in sporadic incidents.

Over 1,200 activists including many central level leaders and students were arrested over the last two days as they defied government ban on demonstrations in Kathmandu valley and other major parts of the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Janakpur Railway, the only rail transportation of the country, situated in southern Nepal town of Janakpur remained closed as the Maoists set ablaze Railway bridge near the Parwaha Station and destroyed it, police said.