2 minutes ago 2009-12-12T01:08:03-08:00
KATHMANDU (AFP) – Thousands of Maoist activists blockaded Nepal's government headquarters for the second day running on Friday as authorities in the capital tightened security to prevent further violence.
The protesters again prevented ministers and civil servants from entering the main government complex in the heart of Kathmandu, although a handful of ministers managed to get in before the blockade began early Friday.
Home Minister Bhim Rhawal said security in the capital had been increased following clashes between riot police and protesters on Thursday in which 20 people were wounded, among them Maoist lawmakers.
"We have ordered police to show maximum restraint to avoid clashes with protesters. Security has also been stepped up," he told reporters.
"As long as the protests remain peaceful we will not use force but if protesters try to breach the prohibited zone we will take all necessary actions."
Senior Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who was among those wounded when police baton-charged protesters on Thursday, said the blockade would mark the end of the former rebels' fortnight-long anti-government protest.
"We are now giving the government and other parties an opportunity to look into our demands," he told AFP. "The ball is in the government's court."
The Maoists fought a decade-long civil war with the state before winning landmark elections last year, but lost power in May after the president overruled their attempt to sack the head of the army.
They say the president's move was unconstitutional and has compromised civilian supremacy over the military, and are calling for an apology and a parliamentary debate over the extent of his powers.
