Nepal - Maoists

Maoists call off airport blockade

Article published on the 2009-11-04 Latest update 2009-11-04 09:28 TU

Maoist activists and supporters outside the Kathmandu Municipality office.
(Photo: Reuters)

Maoists in Nepal called off a blockade of the country’s main airport after envoys from the United States, Russia and the European Union put pressure on the group.

The protest was planned as part of a fortnight of nationwide demonstrations aimed at destabilising the new coalition government.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the Maoist leader, was warned that the protest would escalate tensions and harm tourism during the peak season.

The army and police have been put on high alert against the protest, which stems from a row in May when the Maoists quit the government after a row with Nepal’s army chief.

The political group fought a ten year civil war against the state before winning elections in 2008. They are calling for the president to apologise for blocking Dahal’s attempt to sack the army chief.