In Nepal, the Maoists have announced suspension of its nearly week-long indefinite general strike that crippled the normal life in Kathmandu and other parts of the country. The decision to suspend the strike was taken at a meeting of the steering committee of the Unified CPN(Maoist) in Kathmandu on Friday night. <br/> <br/>Talking to newspersons after the meeting, Chairman of Unified CPN(Maoist) Prachanda said his party decided to suspend the strike in view of the hardship faced by the people and also to avoid escalation of clashes among the people. He said the party will, however, continue its protest programmes until its objective of concluding the peace and Constitution draft process is achieved.<br/> <br/>AIR Kathmandu Correspondent reports that the opposition Maoists had launched the indefinite general strike in the country from 2 May demanding resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and formation of a Maoists led-national Government among other things. The suspension of the bandh came as great relief to people, particularly, the daily wage earners, business community and the common people at large who suffered a lot in the past one week. <br/>