Normal life of the Kathmandu valley has been partially affected on Wednesday, the fourth day of the seven day long Nepal Bandh (general strike) called by the Maoists.

Like in the previous three days of bandhs, shops in interior parts of the city are open; shops in major thoroughfares remained closed.

The government announced Wednesday a public holiday and banned the plying of vehicles in Kathmandu valley in the areas where polling stations are located.

In the capital on Tuesday, the third day of bandh, normal life was partially crippled with more vehicles plying on the roads and more shops opening. A sizeable number of tempos, micro-buses, taxis and minibuses were seen plying to provide service to commuters. However such vehicles were charging more money to the passengers.

12 microbuses, a pick-up van and 15 nearby houses were damaged when a bomb planted by Maoists went off at a garage in Narayantar of Jorpati-4, Kathmandu, Tuesday morning.

According to the police, the explosion took place when a bomb disposal squad of the security forces was trying to defuse the bomb.

The main market centres in Pokhara opened on Tuesday, the third day of week-long bandh called by the Maoists.

The security forces forced open the shops at Mahendrapul, Chipledhunga and Prithvi Chowk area. However, the Lakeside area remained closed.

Chief district Officer of Kaski, Madhav Raj Regmi, SP of District Police Office, Kaski, Rabi Raj Shrestha and other high-ranking officials had reached the markets to pressure the shop owners to open the shops. Only some microbuses plied on the road.

A report from Syangja said, the Syangja bazaar remained closed and peaceful.

A report from Ilam said the patients were deprived from treatment due to the bandh and obstructions placed on the road on Tuesday.

Three ambulances carrying patients from Ilam to Dharan had to return to Ilam due to the road obstructions placed by Maoists at Kiteni of Mechi Highway.

One ambulance heading towards Jhapa from Paanchthar had to return from Puwakhola due to the road obstruction placed by Maoists at Ilam-Puwakhola section of the Highway, reports quoted locals as saying.

The main markets of Ilam remained deserted on the third day of bandh as well. Transport services remained halted.

A report from Dhankuta said normal life remained paralysed on Tuesday also. Markets, academic institutions and factories remained closed.

A report from Bardiya said normal life remained crippled on Tuesday. Shortage of petroleum products was seen in Bardiya affecting students staying at the headquarters and farmers.

Locals are using the Indian route to travel to Gulariya from Nepalgunj. The bandh was without incidents, police said.

A report from Bara said the Kalaiya, Simara, Jeetpur, Nijgadh, Parwanipur and other main markets of Bara remained closed. Transport services remained halted while schools also remained closed.

A report from Tanahun said normal life was affected on the third day of Maoists’ bandh. Headquarters Damauli, Dumre, Aanbukhaireni, Kharenitar, Dulegaunda and Bhimad bazaars remained closed. Schools remained closed and transport services were halted.

The Maoists have called a week long Nepal bandh from Sunday in a bid to disrupt the municipal polls slated for Wednesday, despite heavy criticism from all walks of life.