KATHMANDU: Nepal, still reeling from the fall from power of a Marxist government and the troubled formation of a new communist-led administration, has been rocked again by unrest.

Protesters stoned vehicles and shut down shops and schools in the capital of Kathmandu yesterday as a strike demanding a Newar autonomous province took hold.

Various ethnic groups are seeking a greater role in the government as the nation prepares a new Constitution after abolishing its 239-year-old monarchy.

Ethnic Newars dominate temple- studded Kathmandu and several small towns. They want the Kathmandu valley turned into an autonomous state.

"Streets are deserted as they (protesters) have not allowed even a bicycle to run," said police official Rim Bahadur
Khadka. "They stoned a few vehicles defying the strike, but no one was injured."

Thousands of children stayed at home. Offices were open but employees had to walk as there was no transport available in the city of two million people.

Moderate communist Madhav Kumar Nepal was elected Premier last month, yet cannot name his full Cabinet
due to wrangling among coalition partners over positions.

The country is in limbo - Maoist former rebels quit the government amid a row over the firing of the army chief. -Reuters