Fresh strikes set to hit Nepal

KATHMANDU: Rebel Maoists have announced another round of blockades and strikes throughout Nepal to protest against King Gyanendra''s royal coup.
Issuing a statement on Sunday, Maoist leader Prachanda said his party would impose regional blockades, strikes and also conduct ''people''s actions'' from March 14 to April 1 to protest against the royal coup of February 1.The action would be followed from April 2 with a 10-day strike across Nepal, he said.
Prachanda has also called upon all major political forces to unite with the Maoists in a common front against the monarchy.
Admitting mistakes in the past when the Maoists targeted political activists, he said: "From now onwards, we will assist the political parties in their activities, not disrupt it. We guarantee their safety and security in the districts to carry out their activities."
The rebels had issued just such a call to the parties after King Gyanendra seized power on February 1 but none of the parties have reciprocated, citing past anti-party violence by the rebels.
Though the Maoists appear to be trying hard to lure the parties, the latter are still reluctant lest it taint their own struggle for democracy.
Six political parties, in fact, have united on a common platform to struggle peacefully for democracy again. Prachanda''s latest call comes two weeks after his group lifted a two-week -long blockade of the Nepali capital Kathmandu in the wake of the royal coup.