Monday, April 17 2006 16:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Thousands of protestors continued pro-democracy agitation in Nepal for the 12th consecutive day today (Apr 17, 2006), as political parties kept up the pressure on King Gyanendra, asking people to join their 'non-cooperation movement' and stop paying taxes to the Royal government.

The nationwide general strike has led to scarcity of essential goods, including vegetables, salt and petroleum products, crippling life in the Himalayan kingdom.

Prices have soared and essential commodities have nearly vanished from the markets. However, the government said some truckloads of goods have been brought to the capital with the help of armed escorts.

Thousands of people marched through the streets in various parts of Kathmandu and other cities like Pokhara and Chitawan defying the government's prohibitiory orders. At Buddhanagar and Shankhamul in Kathmandu, hundreds of women staged a rally carrying dishes.

Government employees at the Prime Minister's Office also halted work and shouted pro-democracy slogans at Singhdurbar Secretariat today, according to a private radio. A group of journalists rallied at Bhrikutimandap demanding press freedom.

The government has imposed restrictions on rallies and public meetings in some new areas in Kathmandu and Lalitpur.

Most of the commercial banks halted their transactions from yesterday afternoon to extend solidarity to the movement.

Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala has ruled out any possibility of holding a dialogue with the King unless he reinstates the Parliament and aggress to hold a constituent assembly election.

"The King should first reinstate the Parliament and then form an all-party government that will initiate a dialogue with the Maoists and go for a constituent assembly election," NC central member Sekhar Koirala said quoting the former Prime Minister.

Koirala also claimed that the Maoists are ready to come within the democratic frame.

"I have talked to the rebels time and again and I am confident that they are ready to accept democratic set up. If the dissolved Parliament can be reinstated, an all-party government can be formed and the Maoists can be brought to the political mainstream by initiating a dialogue," Koirala said.

NC (Democratic) acting President Gopalman Shrestha today called upon the people join the 'economic blockade' against the Royal government which was launched by the seven parties yesterday as part of a 'non-cooperation movement'.

The alliance has asked people to stop paying taxes to the government and also urged them not to pay anything for water, electricity, telephone or other services.

Shrestha said the Royal government is now "totally isolated nationally and internationally" and claimed that over 40 lakh people have come to the streets as the movement has spread to 60 out of the total 75 districts of the country.

He appealed to the security personnel to think before 'suppressing' the peaceful demonstrators whether they were serving the interests of the nation.