Nepal’s Maoist insurgency has ended a national transportation stoppage to show “greater responsibility towards the public.” The BBC reports that the two-week-old blockade, called to protest King Gyanendra’s takeover of government, has caused great misery in the mountainous country. Villagers were forced to walk long distances, and truckers were caught between Maoist threats of violence if they worked and military threats to impound their vehicles if they did not. At least one driver, an Indian, was shot dead as he traveled under military escort, the BBC said. Prachanda, leader of the Maoist rebels, announced that the insurgents plan to “increase military resistance and mass movements of people” in a new phase of anti-government activity. He said that a general strike could be called next month. The 10-year-old insurgency has killed about 11,000 people in Nepal, the BBC said. © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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