Maoist rebels end blockade in Nepal

<div class="section0"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-size:="">KATHMANDU: Nepal''s Maoist rebels have lifted an 11-day blockade of Kathmandu, allowing traffic movement and easing pressure on the hapless civilian population. The end of the blockade comes on the eve of Nepalese New Year.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">A police official said passenger buses and trucks have started moving in and out of Kathmandu.The number of vehicles on the key Prithivi Highway jumped markedly on Wednesday, he said, though figures were not immediately available.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Issuing a statement late on Tuesday, Maoist supreme leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal (also known as Prachanda) said the blockade was being lifted from Wednesday. "We thank the people who have supported this blockade. We acknowledge the difficulties caused by the blockade but such actions are necessary to protest the brutal policies of the royal regime," he said.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Kathmandu had remained under the Maoist blockade from April 2. The rebels called the blockade to protest King Gyanendra''s royal coup and to mark the 14th anniversary of the 1990 People''s Movement.</span><br /><br /></div> </div>