Nepal Maoists continue government blockade

Kathmandu, Nepal: Tens of thousands of communist demonstrators blocked the government's headquarters in Nepal's capital for a second straight day Friday, crippling the central administration.

Supporters of the Communist Party of Nepal, commonly known as Maoists, jammed the streets leading to the main bureaucratic offices in Kathmandu, effectively halting day-to-day government operations.

No violence was reported as hundreds of police in riot gear ringed Singhdurbar, the complex housing the prime minister's office and other ministries.

The former communist rebels started staging protests in May when they pulled out of a coalition government.

Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal resigned as prime minister after President Ram Baran Yadav rejected his government's decision to fire the army chief. The Maoists accuse the army chief of opposing the integration of thousands of former rebel fighters into the national army.