Nepal strike enters second day, transport crippled

The Maoists have ordered all vehicles off the roads heading to and from Kathmandu, district capitals and other towns in a bid to end Gyanendra's direct rule of the impoverished Himalayan nation that began 13 months ago.

Fear of Maoist reprisals rather than physical blockades was keeping many drivers off the road. Vehicles have been torched and roads boobytrapped during previous rebel blockades.

Those defying the blockade this time round covered their license plates to prevent being tracked down.