Nationwide strike hits Nepal

Kathmandu: A nationwide strike called by the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) on Thursday crippled life in many parts of Nepal.

The party, led by General Secretary Netra Bikram Chand, launched the strike demanding the release of its cadres arrested during previous protests, Xinhua news agency reported. 

Vehicular movement came to a standstill while educational institutions, private offices and markets were closed. 

However, the strike had little impact in the Kathmandu valley. 

The strike enforcers torched a taxi and vandalised a public micro bus in the capital for defying the strike. 

According to the Metropolitan Police Range, nearly two dozen party cadres were arrested from different parts of the city for forcing people to shut down their businesses. 

Police also nabbed two people with petrol bombs in Bhaktapur.