Maoists lift blockade

A Nepalese petrol station attendant (R) prepares to fill the tanks of waiting motorcyclists at a government run petrol station in Kathmandu yesterday. Highways in Nepal were near-deserted and gasoline shortages loomed in the Kathmandu Valley as a transport blockade called by Maoist rebels hobbled the nation for the sixth straight day. PHOTO: AFP

The Maoists said the blockade, which has sent prices soaring and caused fuel shortages, would end Monday.

"We have decided to lift the blockade and other programmes of strikes, keeping in view the developing and intensifying of the joint movement for democracy, after reaching a new understanding with the seven-party alliance," said a statement.

The seven opposition parties, which have formed a loose alliance with the Maoists aimed at restoring democracy, had appealed for an end to the blockade which they said was hitting ordinary people hard.

The statement, signed by Maoist chief Prachanda and Maoist politburo member Baburam Bhattari, said they made their decision following appeals from various quarters.

The blockade ordered n major towns brought transport to a near-halt.

The Maoists also announced that they fully support the protest programmes of the seven parties scheduled to be organized next month.

Earlier Nepal's leading parties yesterday reached an agreement with Maoist rebels to hold a mass pro-democracy protest next month and called on them to end a transport blockade amid looming fuel shortages.

The agreement calls for a "huge peaceful demonstration" in the capital on April 8 against King Gyanendra, who seized power a year ago, as well as a general strike April 6 to 9.

"We have reached an understanding that the mass movement is the only alternative to end the ongoing conflict and restore full democracy in Nepal," a statement signed by the top leaders of a seven-party alliance said.

The statement came at the end of a meeting held at the residence of Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala in Kathmandu.

It was the second agreement the sidelined political parties have reached with the rebels. In November, the two sides formed a loose alliance aimed at calling for the restoration of democracy and minimizing violence.