The Nepali government has declared a seven-hour curfew in the capital Kathmandu Valley on Monday beginning from 11:00 a.m. local time (0515 GMT).

This is the third day that the Nepali government imposed curfew in the valley in order to maintain law and order.

The district administrations of Kathmandu and Lalitpur announced the curfew by issuing separate public notices, citing possible violence and loss of property during agitations being carried out by the seven political party alliance (SPA).

The curfew orders have been clamped within the Ring Road area, the periphery of downtown Kathmandu and Lalitpur cities, and neighboring Kirtipur city of Kathmandu Valley.

The regular curfew hours, from 11:00 p.m. local time (1715 GMT) to 3:00 a.m. local time (2115 GMT), first announced last Wednesday, will remain effective, the notice noted, adding, "Security personnel have been authorized to shoot at those defying the curfew."

The local authorities of the three districts imposed curfew from 7:00 a.m. local time (0115 GMT) to 9:00 p.m. local time ( 1515GMT) on Saturday as the SPA intensified the agitations.

On Friday, the three district authorities clamped curfew from 10:00 a.m. (0415 GMT) to 9:00 p.m. local time (1515 GMT).

Meanwhile, on Monday, government has also imposed daytime curfew in four other cities in different districts outside Kathmandu Valley.

The local authorities have imposed daytime curfew in Bharatpur city of central Chitwan, some 100 km west of Kathmandu, Pokhara city of western Kaski district, some 200 km west of Kathmandu, Butwal city of Rupandehi district, some 300 km west of Kathmandu and Banepa city of central Kavre district, some 30 km east of Kathmandu.

At least three demonstrators, each at Bharatpur, Pokhara and Banepa city, were killed on Saturday and Sunday during demonstrations.

Meanwhile, the Nepali government has said that it had been taking security measures with high alertness in order to safeguard the life and property of the general public.

"The security was alert to avoid any untoward incidents from taking place in course of the so-called general strike and demonstration being held in the capital, with the terrorist group playing the leading role," Home Ministry said in a press statement.

No untoward incident took place in Kathmandu Valley on Sunday as a result of the effective security measures adopted by the security personnel, the statement added.

Security personnel used minor force and took some persons into custody in course of controlling the anarchical incident that took place in the capital on Sunday.

Home Minister Kamal Thapa has said that the government is ready to move ahead by holding a dialogue and through consensus and collaboration with the pro-constitutional political parties.

Speaking at a press conference organized at the Home Ministry on Sunday, Thapa said the SPA have organized the so-called movement and general strike at the call of the "terrorists".

"The Nepali government would not at any cost compromise with violence, murder and terror," Thapa said.

"The terrorists' ill-intention would never be successful and the government would ultimately defeat the terrorists," Thapa said, adding "It is essential for the seven agitating political parties' leadership to understand that the so-called movement is now being guided by the terrorists."

Though the general strike and demonstration has had adverse effect on public life the government has been observing patience and was compelled to issue the curfew order so as to arrange effective security measures, Thapa noted.

Issuing a curfew order is not a matter of liking and hobby for the government, but the life and property of the people have been protected as a result of it, Thapa said.

"The government would immediately withdraw the curfew order as well as the prohibitory order if the seven political parties declare that they have renounced the collaboration with the terrorists and if there is improvement in the subsequent situation, " he added.

The SPA, on Sunday, announced further extension of the general strike until further notice.

The reports from different parts of the country showed the situation remained tense because of anti-government rallies and demonstrations across the country. Hundreds of demonstrators injured Monday in clashes with security forces.

However, domestic and international flights from the Tribhuvan International Airport, only one international airport of the country, took place as pre-scheduled on these days.

Source: Xinhua