Nepal paralysed by general strike in protests against prime minister

A general strike organised by a splinter group in the governing communist party has paralysed life in Nepal, shutting schools, public transport and markets.

Roads were deserted and shops were closed by the strike, called to protest against prime minister Khadga Prasad Oli’s decision to dissolve parliament and announce new elections.

Authorities stepped up security across the Himalayan nation, but there were no reports of violence. Police detained 75 supporters of the party faction who were blocking roads to enforce the strike.

In the capital, Kathmandu, riot police guarded the main streets and stopped people who were forcing vehicles off the roads.

The splinter group has been organising street protests since parliament was dissolved on December 20 at the direction of the prime minister and new elections were announced for April 30 and May 10.

Mr Oli became prime minister after his Nepal Communist Party won elections three years ago. His party and the party of former Maoist rebels had earlier merged to form a unified communist party.

Tensions have grown between Mr Oli and the leader of the former rebels, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is also co-chairman of the party.

The two had previously agreed to split the five-year prime minister’s term between them, but Mr Oli has refused to allow Mr Dahal to take over.

Both men claim the Nepal Communist Party as theirs and the issue is being disputed at the Election Commission.

Mr Dahal’s faction even announced it had ousted Mr Oli from the party at a meeting last month.

The opposition has also accused Mr Oli’s government of corruption, and his administration has faced criticism over its handling of the coronavirus outbreak.

The premier also has been accused of moving closer to China and drifting away from Nepal’s traditional partner India.