Ambulance, pharmacies vandalized

KATHMANDU, Dec 6: Life across the country was severely paralyzed on Sunday due to a banda enforced by the UCPN (Maoist). The banda, called on short notice, also saw sporadic violence, including vandalism of at least one ambulance and several press vehicles. [break]

The Maoists called a nation-wide general strike Sunday protesting the Dudejhari incident in which five squatters and a policeman were killed and dozens injured in police firing Friday.

The party has demanded independent investigation into the firing, resignation of home minister, declaring the deceased martyrs, compensation to the kin of the deceased, and free medication for the injured.

Educational institutions, factories and major thoroughfares were shut across the country, while most vehicles remained off the roads.

In Kathmandu, Maoists blocked the roads at major places and did not even allow motorbikes to run. Long queues of people were seen walking to their destinations, while school children played cricket and football on the road.

According to Home Ministry, eight trucks and mini-trucks, one bus, one milk tanker, two minibuses, two taxis, and eight motor cycles were vandalized during the protest. Police arrested 57 protestors. "An investigation will be conducted and those found innocent will be released," stated a press statement issued by the ministry.

The Maoists vandalized a motorbike of Republica journalist Puran Bista at New Baneshwar and an Image Channel vehicle in Lainchaur. They also vandalized a pharmacy in Shorakhutte.

Our correspondent from Kailali reported that the protestors torched an ambulance (Bhe 1 Cha 646) at Chisapani, near the Karnali bridge.

The Maoists also imposed ban on circulation of newspapers in Pokhara on Sunday.

Our correspondent Ramesh Khatiwada from Dolakha said, the protestors locked municipal sub-overseer Bhawindra Thapa inside Bhimeshwar Municipality for one hour. They also hit District Agriculture Office chief Tek Bahadur Karki with phone receiver. The protestors were led by Maoist district secretary Ramesh Khatiwada.

According to our correspondent Upendra Lamichhane, central Tarai was also adversely affected due to the banda. Bara, Parsa, Rautahat and Makawanpur districts were completely shut. The protestors burnt tires and set up road blocks. In Birgunj, banda enforcers also briefly clashed with the police, but there were no injuries. The Maoists also vandalized two vehicles in Jitpur, Bara. Security was beefed up in Rautahat as Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal visited his home district Sunday.

In Mahendranagar, a policeman was injured when the protestors pelted stone at police during a brief clash, reported our correspondent Bikram Giri. Assistant Sub-Inspector Krishna Bahadur Airi sustained injury to his head during the clash. The protestors demonstrated and chanted slogans in front of the District Administration Office. All nine districts in the Western Region were affected due to the banda. Commoners and Nepali migrant laborers returning from India remain stranded. The Maoists were stationed at various places in groups brandishing sticks.

In Nawalparasi, the protesters torched a motorcycle. The district was completely shut. Similarly, major thoroughfares in Kavre, Dolakha and Ramechhap were also closed.

In Kailali, Maoists took the bodies of three squatters -- Sanjaya Dhakal, Narendra BK and Rup Lal Dagaura -- around Dhangadhi bazaar and cremated them. The Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Landless People´s Association has stated that they would seize the Dudejhari forest areas again. The Association has also stated that the state disappeared 250 individuals during the fight Friday. The Maoists have not let the newspaper to circulate here. They also did not allow even bicycles and rickshaws on the road.

Meanwhile, issuing a press statement the Maoist party has stated that the banda was a "grand success despite state suppression". The party has demanded immediate release of those arrested.