KATHMANDU: The three-day general strike called by the main opposition party Unified CPN- Maoist came to a close today. Life was paralysed in the Kathmandu Valley from dawn to dusk even as the

agitators lifted the bandh midday today.

The bandh passed off peacefully without untoward incidences and no clashes were reported.

The organisers held rallies from different locations that converged into a mass gathering in New Baneshwor, where Maoist supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ among other leaders, addressed.

As ususal hundreds of baton-wielding Maoist cadres had an intimidating presence on the streets from the wee hours of the morning.

The fear of reprisal was so strong that the motorists

did not dare to venture into the street even as the strike was lifted at 12 noon. The ghastly images of burning vehicles and the ferocious beating on the police officer Chaudhary continue to haunt the denizens.

Saroj Sitaula, treasurer of Nepal National Transport Enterpreuners’ Assoication said over 90 per cent of public tansports stayed off the road even as the agitators called off the bandh at

midday today. “Had the bandh been called off before dawn, we would have

been able to drive our vehicles,” he said, adding, “Calling off the strikes at 12 noon is meaningless.”

New Baneshwor, the venue, where the Maoists organised their mass meet, saw the heavy presence of security personnel in view of Sunday’s violent showdown of the Maoists.