KATHMANDU, NEPAL (TIP): A general strike called by a small communist party demanding that the government release its supporters detained after previous protests has shut down schools, markets and transportation in Nepal.

Police says 28 more supporters of the Nepal Communist Party Maoist were arrested as they attempted to enforce the general strike forcing vehicles off the streets in Kathmandu.

They torched a taxi and vandalized a public van in Kathmandu but no one was hurt.

The party which is a splinter group of the main Maoist party that is part of the government. The Maoists are former communist rebels who fought government troops for 10 years before entering mainstream politics in 2006.

Security has been stepped up and riot police are guarding the main streets of Kathmandu.

(AP)