Maoist strike paralyses Nepal

In recent weeks the rebels have increased their attacks

A one-day strike in Nepal called by Maoist rebels has brought the country to a virtual standstill.

In the capital, Kathmandu, most shops have remained shut and the streets are almost deserted.

Thousands of riot police were deployed in the main towns and commercial centres, as schools, businesses and transport closed down.

The rebels have stepped up attacks on the police in the wake of the instability caused by last month's massacre of most of the royal family.

Although an official report said the massacre was the work of the former king's son, the rebels insist it was the result of a national and international conspiracy.

Security laws

In recent weeks the Maoists have targeted the prime minister, the king and the police.

The rebels are fighting for a "people's republic"

Police have strengthened patrols around telephone towers, bridges and government buildings.

A bomb went off on Wednesday outside the house of the daughter of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, but no one was injured.

The Maoists have been angered by a tough new law clamping down on anyone seen as a threat to national security.

They say the regulations, which were introduced last month, are anti-democratic.

The police had reason to be cautious during Thursday's strike. At least 15 bombs have been planted in and around Kathmandu in the past few weeks, of which six have exploded.

Both the prime minister's official residence and his home have been threatened.

The rebels have also targeted companies in which Nepal's new monarch, King Gyanendra, is reported to have major shares. He is viewed as less liberal than his late brother.

Police massacre

The rebels marked King Gyanendra's birthday at the weekend by killing some 40 policemen during co-ordinated attacks on police check posts in three different areas.

On Tuesday, a senior police officer was killed by a landmine allegedly planted by the rebels in the south-west of the country.

Senior Superintendent Parameswore Singh Sijapati was the most senior officer to be killed by the Maoists since they launched their "people's war" in 1996 against the constitutional monarchy.

Rebel demands

They have dismissed the inquiry that pinpointed Crown Prince Dipendra as the killer as a whitewash.

Crown Prince Dipendra was officially blamed for the royal massacre

The rebels are fighting to establish a "people's republic" in Nepal and are demanding land reform, an end to close ties with India, no more foreign aid and no role for the monarchy.

They regularly target Nepal's badly trained and poorly paid police force in an attempt to further undermine already low morale.

More than 1,700 people have been killed since the rebels began struggling to replace the constitutional monarchy with a communist republic.