[February 05, 2006] Rebel-called strike begins in Nepal+ Tweet (Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)KATHMANDU, Feb. 5_(Kyodo) _ A weeklong general strike called by Nepal's Maoist rebels across the country got under way Sunday. The shutdown, aimed at forcing the royalist government to call off municipal elections set for Wednesday, shut down schools and shops and disrupted public transportation across country. Streets were empty of cars and buses in the capital Kathmandu, where riot police have been deployed. The strike reinforces opposition to the election by mainstream political parties that are boycotting it, saying the polls offer no solution to the political crisis facing the kingdom. The government has meanwhile arrested and jailed hundreds of party leaders and activists as well as rights defenders across the country. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]