| Maoist rebels opened fire on security forces and bombed a government building in the heart of Kathmandu yesterday as their blockade of the ancient capital entered a third day. The attacks came as Nepal's army appealed to the citizens to defy the blockade, which is mainly being enforced through psychological fear, saying it would protect them from Maoist reprisals. Two rebels opened fire on police and soldiers guarding Kathmandu's Land Registration Office shortly after the building was badly damaged by bombs, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Ganesh K.C. One police officer was injured in the attack and taken to hospital, he said. There was no word on his condition. The attack was the first major violent incident since the Maoists announced their blockade, and the Nepalese army tried to reassure jittery residents. 'We want to tell vehicle owners to be free from this slavery mentality of terror created by rebel threats,' said army spokesman Rajendra Bahadur Thapa. 'We want to assure them that we have enough security to protect them.' |