Maoist rebels are to lift their blockade of Kathmandu from today after listening to requests from the business community, human rights activists and ordinary Nepalese.
| Mighty charitable of them. Must be going soft. |
The week-long siege of the capital has been maintained by the threat of violence, rather than physical roadblocks, but has been remarkably effective. Food prices have risen precipitously and there were concerns that the city would run out of fuel within days. But analysts said the guerrillas, fighting to topple Nepal's constitutional monarchy, had begun to see support for their cause drain away as the blockade began to hurt Kathmandu's 1.5 million people. A statement issued by the Maoist leadership said: "The transport blockade has been postponed for one month, with effect from August 25." In an attempt to put pressure on the government, the rebels said the blockade would be reimposed if it continued to ignore their demands to free detained Maoists and investigate the killings of leftwing activists. |