Rebel blockade to go ahead

Maoist rebels are launching a 20-day blockade of Nepal’s major urban centres from Tuesday. The rebels, who have been waging an armed rebellion since 1996 in the Himalayan kingdom, said in a press statement that the blockade was part of a new, more intensive struggle to overthrow the royal government. The insurgents have also called an indefinite nationwide strike from 6 April. The rebels - who ended a unilateral ceasefire in early January - have de facto control of much of rural Nepal but have not had the capacity to wield power in larger towns and cities. The government, led by King Gyanendra who has been ruling the country single-handedly since 1 February, 2005, said on Sunday that the nation was prepared for both actions. “We have made enough security and food provision to cripple the blockade,” said home minister Kamal Thapa. Civil groups and political parties say the rebels’ bid to strangle the nation’s urban areas will affect poor people and threaten food security and is unlikely to bring the government down. Residents in the capital, Kathmandu, were seen stockpiling food and other basic commodities. “If the Maoists are really fighting for ordinary people, then they should call off this blockade as it will affect poor citizens like us but not the king,” said Chandrakal Chettri, busy shopping in the Thamel district. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Maoists not to go ahead with their action. “We would appeal to the Maoists to withdraw the announced blockade and strike,” said Dhruba Nepal from NHRC.