KATHMANDU: Major embassies and schools shut down early in Kathmandu today ahead of the Maoist rally which began this evening. The Maoist sister organizations are organizing the rally to pressurize the government to sack Army chief Rukmangud Katawal. Rallies converged to Ratna Park from areas like Baneshwor, Kalimati among others. Traffic in many areas of Kathmandu came to a halt. Around 5000 people were present in the meeting which is being addressed by Maoist leaders.