Strike shuts down parts of Kathmandu

Feb 15, 2007, 9:23 GMT

Kathmandu - A one-day general strike called by indigenous communities has shut down parts of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu Thursday.

The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities was demanding recognition of several native languages in government works and the right to self-determination.

The strike shut down schools, businesses and halted transport throughout the Nepalese capital.

Activists trying to enforce the strike clashed with local people in at least one area of the city.

The strike came despite the group holding talks with the government to discuss their demands.

Earlier this month, ethnic Madhesi people in southern Nepal were involved in violent demonstrations to press their demands for a federal structure of governance and proportional representation in the electoral system.

That violence, in which at least 24 people died, ended after the government gave into the demands.

Political analysts in the Nepalese capital say several groups are trying to put pressure on the government to fulfil their demands by organizing strikes and road blockages.

They say Madhesi people getting their demands fulfilled through demonstrations and subsequent violence has encouraged other groups to follow suit.

In January, the eight main political parties including the Maoist foremer rebels pledged not to organize strikes in the run up to the elections.

However, smaller groups are not associated with the main parties and the call has largely gone ignored.