Maoists on Sunday withdrew the blockade they had announced in the capital and district headquarters since last six days.

Issuing a joint statement, 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).

The Maoist leaders said the party has withdrawn the blockade and other programmes of struggle after an understanding with the seven agitating political parties that has announced a four-day nationwide general strike and ‘no-cooperation movement’ beginning April 6 to pressure the ‘autocratic royal government’.

Stressing the need to intensify the movement against ‘royal autocracy’, the rebel leaders also pledged support to the protest programmes of the seven-party alliance.

Their statement came hours after the seven parties and the CPN (Maoist) issued their second Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), separately, after hectic negotiations in New Delhi, India.

The parties and the Maoists had signed an understanding in November last year.