Nepal violence leaves eight dead

Security has been stepped up since the ceasefire collapsed

Eight people, including two policemen, have been killed in fresh violence in Nepal, blamed on Maoist rebels.

The policemen were shot dead in the north-eastern hill district of Dolakha, authorities say.

Six rebels died in separate clashes in the western districts of Dang and Dailekh, according to officials.

Clashes have become a daily event since the resumption of violence last August, when rebels broke a truce to resume their struggle to abolish the monarchy.

The rebels blamed the collapse of their seven-month ceasefire on the government's insistence that the monarchy retain its central role in any future constitution for Nepal.

Nepal's king dismissed an elected government late last year and assumed executive powers.

At least 8,000 people have died since the Maoists took up arms in 1996.