Restive Nepal braces for Maoist blockade

The guerrillas, intent on setting up a communist state in place of the centuries-old Hindu monarchy, vowed to close roads to the capital indefinitely, stopping movement of people and goods to the city of more than 1.5 million.

In the past, they have blockaded Kathmandu for several days, successfully cutting it off.

But the royalist government expects no major problem.

"We are prepared for it," said junior information minister Shris Shumsher Rana. "We have adequate stocks and we will keep our lifelines open."

Officials said Kathmandu had enough foodgrains for two months and enough petrol, kerosene and diesel for two weeks.

"They have tried this previously and failed and will fail again," Rana said. "We have not had any shortage."

But residents were not convinced.