Kathmandu - A one-day general strike called by various
ethnic groups in Nepal paralysed normal life across the Himalayan
nation on Friday.
The strike, called by an umbrella body of ethnic groups, the Nepal
Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), is in protest at what
it calls the 'black day' when the Nepalese Supreme Court handed down
a ruling years ago that banned the use of ethnic languages in
government works.
The president of NEFIN, Pasang Sherpa, said, 'The strike is also
to press for an ethnicity based proportional representation system in
the constituent assembly and annulment of provisions in the interim
constitution that violate rights and interests of ethnic communities.'
The strike shut down schools, educational institutions,
businesses, offices and markets. In the capital Kathmandu, the strike
has been nearly complete, with not even motorcycles operating, and
markets virtually deserted.
'No long-route buses are operating to and from Kathmandu. The
strike has crippled all long-range transport,' said Hari Aryal, a
ticketing agent for long-distance buses in Kathmandu.
Police said although they had not received any reports of
violence, the strike had virtually paralysed life in much of the
country.
A few people, mainly government employees, walked to their offices
Friday morning.
The strike is the latest of several such actions to hit Nepal. On
Sunday, a Maoist strike shut down Kathmandu.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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