Maoists' strike shuts down Nepal to topple government

Thousands of Maoist opposition supporters, some armed with bamboo sticks, are out on the streets of the capital Kathmandu.
The country has come to a standstill, with businesses shut and roads empty.
Nepal's government is not supported by the people, the Maoists say.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has asked the Maoists to resolve their issues through dialogue.
"We have been accused of playing a conspiratorial role in the creation of the constitution by the main opposition party, when they should be helping and participating in a creative way," he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.