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Article: Bombs on the tennis courts; no petrol in the pumps; Nepal.(Nepal's choking economy)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- August 28, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Better stay at home
Maoist rebels show their power
Potatoes usually cost 25 rupees (35 cents) a sack on the streets of Katmandu. But during a week-long blockade by Maoist rebels, prices doubled, and even tripled. Most other foodstuffs followed suit, fuel was rationed at petrol stations and buses in and out of the Nepalese capital were suspended. The blockade was eventually lifted on August 24th after calls from businesses, human-rights groups and, above all, ordinary citizens.
The blockade was the latest twist in a three-way conflict that has raged since 1996 between the government, the monarchy and the Maoists. After a seven-month ceasefire ...