Life is returning to normalcy from Monday after Maoists withdrew the blockade they had announced in the capital and district headquarters since the last six days.

Vehicles started plying on long routes from early morning. Most transportation remained obstructed from Tuesday following the blockade announced by the Maoists.

However vehicles are facing problems in some places due to the barricade placed by the Maoists.

Issuing a joint statement on Sunday, CPN (Maoist) chairman Prachanda and senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattrai said the party has called off the blockade and all other protest programmes with effect from March 20 (Monday).

Meanwhile a report from eastern town of Rajbiraj said several eye patients from Biratnagar who were taken to Lahan for treatment had a narrow escape, Sunday, when Maoist rebels fired several shots at the bus they were traveling in at Kharchuia section of Mahendra Highway.

Though the vehicle was damaged, no one in the vehicle was hurt.