KATHMANDU: For six days this month, a rebel blockade of key highways paralyzed life across Nepal: Food prices spiralled, fuel ran short and simply getting by became an enormous struggle.

As the country braces for still more confrontations — with political parties and communist rebels gearing up for more general strikes and protest rallies in April — the patience of people appears to be wearing thin in a struggle many worry is getting them nowhere.

“People are tired of strikes and disruptions. There is a sense of fatigue,” said Yubaraj Ghimire, editor of the Nepalese political weekly Samay.

The political parties have called for a complete shutdown of the country in early April — with the support, for the first time, of the country’s Maoist rebels.

Together, they say they want to bring back democracy by sparking a popular uprising against King Gyanendra, who dismissed the democratic government and seized absolute power a year ago.

But many people seem increasingly weary of protests, and more cynical about the conflict’s three main players: the king, the political parties and the Maoist rebels.

At Durbar Square, where ancient Hindu temples adjoin Buddhist shrines in the heart of Katmandu, bored shop owners watch cricket matches on television or read newspapers. Their main customers, the Western tourists who once thronged this mountainous wonderland, aren’t coming anymore.

“Our business suffers each time there is a strike. Tourists are staying away from Nepal,” said Govardhan Pokhrel, dusting carved wooden souvenirs in his shop. “And yet, we don’t seem to be getting anywhere with all these strikes.”

Most protests called by opposition parties only attract a few hundred people — and are often ignored by the vast majority of Nepalese, who have shown little interest in taking part in an uprising to topple the king.

The Maoists, on the other hand, can often count on the obedience of many of Nepal’s 27 million people, most of whom fear for their safety if they cross the rebels.

A few weeks ago, the Maoists agreed to support the April 6-9 general strike call by the political parties. At the same time, however, they have also stepped up violent attacks on government targets.—AP