General strike affects normal life

Normal life across the country has been affected on Thursday, the first day of the four day long general strike called by the seven party opposition alliance.

Seven party supporters staging a protest rally in the first day of their four-day...

The alliance, which is protesting against the February 1 royal takeover of the last year called the general strike for the restoration of complete democracy in the country.

A few shops in interior parts of the city are open, but shops in major thoroughfares remained closed. Most of the public and private vehicles kept off the road.

Educational institutions and other private institutions also remain closed.

Various trade unions and workers unions have expressed solidarity to the general strike of the seven political parties.

In his appeal made on the eve of the four day long general strike, Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala has urged people to actively participate in the protest programme.

In his appeal Koirala said, "I request my brothers and sisters from all walks of life to save the nation from injustice, violence, crisis and disaster by turning the mass movement into a grand success."

Earlier, the Home Ministry had urged people not to take part in such protest programmes saying that there could be Maoist infiltration and opposition protests could turn violent. nepalnews.com pb Apr 06 06