Normal life across the country, already hardened by the unofficial blocked by India, has been further hit due to the countrywide general strike called by Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoist on Sunday.

Chand’s party said it had called the strike against the Indian blockade upon Nepal. Few vehicles are operating on Capital roads and other parts of the country. The number of vehicles was already less in the country due to the fuel crisis resulted by Indian blockade upon Nepal. Educational institutes have also remained shut.

Cadres of the party torched a truck at Nalang along the Malekhu-Dhadingbeshi section of Kalu Panday road in Dhading district. Truck driver Kamal Prasad Bartaula said three persons torched the truck after stopping it at Sikrakhola in Nalang.

A fire brigade from Nilkantha Municipality had doused the fire.

DSP Sabin Pradhan said the search for the arsonists is underway.

Few vehicles are running on the Prithivi Highway after the arson. Over a dozen tourist vehicles were escorted towards their destinations in Chitwan and Pokhara.

23 arrested in Kaski

Police arrested 23 CPN Maoist activists forcing shutdown in Kaski district. District police informed four were arrested from Chiple Dhunga, 16 from Prithivi Chowk while three were rounded up from Talkok in Lekhnath Municipality today.