Rebel blockade around Nepal capital
From Journalist Akilesh Upadhyay
KATHMANDU, Nepal (CNN) -- Kathmandu has been cut off from the rest of the country for the second day of an indefinite blockade of the Nepalese capital by Maoists rebels.
Kathmandu is linked to the rest of kingdom by four major highways. The roads also provide the vital road link to Indian ports -- lifelines to the landlocked country's commerce.
Some two dozens vehicles left Kathmandu on Wednesday escorted by the army, a security official said. But hundreds of trucks and buses remained off the road.
Twelve major businesses, including a five-star hotel Soaltee, partly owned by Nepal's royal family, have been closed over the last two days.
The blockade and closure of the major businesses comes despite the government's repeated pledge that it has increased security following Maoist threats.
In a separate incident, the Maoists have been blamed for the killing of journalist Dekendra Raj Thapa, and have issued death threats against 10 more.
Nepal's largest selling newspaper Kanitpur Wednesday condemned the Maoist violence.
Two reporters from the daily Harihar Singh Rathour and Bed Prakash Timilsina are among those who have received Maoist threats.
"The violence against journalists has reached a new high," said Taranath Dahal, president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists, which has organized a protest rally against the Maoists later in the day.
Analysts say the closure of 12 major businesses, the economic blockade and the recent violence against journalists may well mark a major shift in the way the general public views the Maoists.
Nepal's mainstream media has generally been open to giving space to Maoist concerns.
The Maoists -- who say they are inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong -- are fighting an eight-year rebellion to establish a communist republic.
More than 10,000 people have died in the Maoists' "people's war."
