Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Tensions are rising in Nepal after six days of a Maoist-led general strike aimed at bringing down the current government. In Birjuni, a town on the border with India, a group of Hindu extremists attacked Maoist strikers, wounding about 30, ten in serious conditions.

Anti-Maoist protests are developing elsewhere in the country; in some places, the offices of the former rebel fighters have been assaulted. This morning, a crowd of 20,000 people gathered in Kathmandu to demand an end to the demonstrations and the re-opening of schools, stores and factories. To avoid clashes, police has imposed a curfew on ten districts in the capital.

Since 1 May, hundreds of thousands of Maoists have paralysed the country. In the capital, the strike has been lifted for only two hours a day. However, finding food is nearly impossible, and the price of vegetables has increased five-fold.

Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma said, “Our peaceful protest is to protect democratic values, Republicanism, federalism,” and “logical conclusion of the peace process [. . .] We have decided not to attack any anti-protest groups but when they try to retaliate against peaceful protest we will take action against them."

Following the collapse of talks between the government and the Maoist opposition, foreign observers have also arrived in recent days to monitor the situation.

For British envoy to Nepal Andrew Hall, if the country cannot reach a consensus by Friday, it may plunge into civil war. For this reason, we have urged political parties to seek one right away.