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KATHMANDU: Normal life was paralysed in Nepal as pro-democracy parties kicked off a four-day nationwide strike on Thursday urging King Gyanendra to restore democracy in the Himalayan Kingdom. At least 60 people were arrested from various parts of Kathmandu for defying government ban on demonstrations even as hundreds of party activists gathered in small numbers chanting anti-King slogans and waving their party flags.

Schools and colleges remained closed, major markets shut down, transport services halted and factories and businesses were closed responding to the strike call, tipped as a "decisive agitation," by the Seven Party Alliance.

Army and riot police have intensified patrolling, especially in the capital as it is the centre of the strike, while the government has warned people not to come to Kathmandu.

In a massive crackdown to thwart the general strike, the royal government had on Wednesday arrested over 200 people and clamped a night-time curfew in the capital and adjoining Lalitpur district.

As soon as dozens of people took out rallies defying ban in Chhetrapati, Ason, Gongabu, Koteshwor, Kalanki, Bhaktapur and Patan, police arrested many of them, Nepali Congress leader Arjun Narsingh said.

8 killed in Maoist attack in Nepal

Maoists have attacked government offices and raided security bases, killing five policemen and three rebels, besides setting free about 100 prisoners from a jail in a south Nepal town bordering India, Army sources said.

The rebels also attacked a night vision helicopter of the Nepalese Army as two choppers arrived for reinforcement after simultaneous attacks in Malangawa of Sarlahi district, 250 km from Kathmandu, last night.

Five policemen and three rebels were killed in the attack while the Chief District Officer and 10 security personnel were abducted by Maoists, sources said.

Sarlahi District Administration Office, District Postal Office, District Land Revenue Office, District Police Office and Army barrack in Malangawa, the district headquarters of Sarlahi were attacked at arround 9 pm local time on Wednesday.

Maoists also broke the District jail where about 100 prisoners were staying and set them free, eye-witnesses said.

One of the helicopter was shot with three bullets and it fell on the field, they added.
The Maoist attack came amidst a call for general strike by the pro-democracy parties urging King Gyanendra to restore democracy in the Himalayan Kingdom.

The rebels have extended their support to the nationwide strike and had decided to halt attacks in the capital during the four-day strike.

DNA India