Nepal puts army on high alert as Maoists protest continues

As the Maoists leaders continued to surround the main government administrative complex Singhdurbar, the government put the army on high alert to guard against any possibility of the former rebels entering the Secretariat.

Demanding the ouster of 22 party coalition led by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and President Ram Baran Yadav, Maoists leader Prachanda threatened if their call for 'civilian supremacy' was not met, they will enforce a nation-wide shutdown.

Despite the blockade, many ministers and several government staff managed to enter the main administrative complex an hour before the Maoists cadres assembled today.

The government has mobilised Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel in view of yesterday's clashes at Singhdurbar that left over 50 people including senior Maoist leaders injured.

Prime Minister Nepal on Thursday asked Prachanda to withdraw the agitation and come forward for a dialogue.

"I urge all to show the required flexibility and accept the current political reality," he said last night.

Meanwhile, Prachanda visited Janamaitri Hospital here this morning to meet Maoist cadres, who were brought for treatment after they sustained injuries in a bus accident in Ambhukhaireni area of Tanahu district.