Maoists block roads to Kathmandu

Thousands of Nepal's former Maoist rebels have blocked all roads leading into the capital, Kathmandu, to protest against the governing coalition.

Waving red flags, the rebels blocked the road at Thankot which connects the capital with the east-west highway.

Hundreds of riot police have been deployed to keep the peace.

The BBC's Joanna Jolly in Kathmandu says the Maoists want a debate on presidential powers in parliament, but the government has refused the demand.

The Maoists emerged as the largest party in Nepal's election last year.

They say President Ram Baran Yadav acted unconstitutionally by overruling their decision to sack the army chief earlier this year.

The president's decision led to the collapse of the Maoist-led government in May.

Slogan shouting

Supporters of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) have gathered on roads connecting Kathmandu with the rest of the Himalayan nation.

At the Thankot checkpoint, the main entrance to the capital, hundreds of Maoist supporters held banners and their party's red flag, stopping vehicles and chanting slogans.

Seven other Maoist checkpoints have been set up around the city and only ambulances and emergency vehicles are being allowed to pass through.

Police said roads were shut by the protests but that there were no reports of violence.

Sagar Chandra Thapa, a Maoist leader in the Kathmandu valley, told the BBC that he expected thousands more supporters to join the blockade throughout the day.

"Today's protest is against the president's unconstitutional move. Our protest is to establish civilian supremacy over the military. We want to discuss it in the parliament, but we are not allowed. Therefore, we are forced to take to the streets."

The Maoists say they will continue their protests until their demands are met.

They plan a demonstration at the main government office complex in Kathmandu on Thursday. Thousands of Maoists held similar rallies against the president in September.

The coalition government has asked the Maoists to call off their protests. It has refused to discuss their demands, saying the issue has already been resolved.

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