Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 19:

The second day of the Maoist-called nationwide general strike was marked by explosions at a few places in the Kathmandu Valley. More vehicles hit the roads than yesterday. Suspected Maoists bombed two taxis at Kankeswori Chiwakhel (Ba 1 Ja 6076) and Tinchule of Boudha today. A powerful bomb thrown at a taxi went off at Ravi Bhawan this morning. The blast destroyed the front part of a nearby building. However, nobody was hurt. A person died on the spot when a bus carrying Royal Nepal Army personnel knocked down his bicycle at Tinkune. Another, who accompanied him, was seriously injured.

The main markets remained closed. In comparison to yesterday, more taxis, tempos, minibuses and buses plied. Most of them were escorted by the security forces. Buses belonging to diplomatic missions also plied besides a number of motorcycles. Most of the shops at the inner parts of the cities were open. Bhaktapur and Madhyapur also remained calm today with most of the shops closed.