Nepal capital brought to standstill by fuel protest
Posted: 26 June 2008 1524 hrs

	Photos  of

KATHMANDU: Nepal's capital was at a virtual standstill Thursday, after political parties called for a general strike to protest against recent fuel price hikes.

"Markets, schools and businesses are all shut due to the strike, and traffic is very thin," Kathmandu police chief Sarbendra Khanal told AFP.

Nepal's state-run fuel supplier hiked prices by up to 27 per cent earlier this month to keep pace with rising global crude prices.

"We want the government to withdraw this price rise as it has given ordinary people a massive burden," said Ram Singh Shrestha from the Communist Party of Nepal, one of the four fringe parties that called for the shutdown.

Nepal has no oil reserves, and relies on southern neighbour India for all of its fuel supplies. Prior to the hike, the Nepal Oil Corporation has been selling fuel at a loss for years, building up millions of dollars in debt. - AFP/jk