The Nepali government extended an 18-hour curfew to seven more hours in the capital Kathmandu on Thursday beginning 2:00 AM local time (21:15 GMT on Wednesday) to maintain law and order.

"The curfew order imposed in the capital Kathmandu Valley from 2:00 AM local time (21:15 GMT on Wednesday) to 8:00 PM local time (14:15 GMT on Thursday) is increased until Friday 3:00 AM local time (22:15 GMT on Thursday)," state-run Radio Nepal said.

Issuing separate public notices, the District Administration Offices of Kathmandu and Lalitpur, extended the announced curfew hour, citing possible violence and loss of property during agitation being carried out by the seven opposition political parties.

The curfew orders have been clamped in within and 200 meter outside the Ring Road area, the periphery of downtown Kathmandu and Lalitpur cities, of the Valley.

The curfew was imposed citing security reasons in order to maintain law and order of the valley, the notices said.

"Security personnel have been authorized to shoot at those defying the curfew," the notices said.

"Terrorist as well as various unruly and untoward activities have been taking place leading to an increase in anarchical activities, insecurity and disorder in public life in various locations of the valley," the earlier notices issued on Wednesday said.

"In the context of a statement of active participation by the terrorists in the so-called programs organized by the seven political parties, the curfew order has been issued in order to avoid the possible damage to life and property as a result of such activities," the notice said.

The seven opposition political party alliances announced indefinite general strike across the country from April 6 and intensified the agitation.

The alliance organized mass rallies and demonstrations in the valley on Thursday and tried to defy curfew order in different places of the valley.

According to the radio, at least three persons were killed and over 50 injured when security personnel opened fire at demonstrators at Kalanki area, along the Ring Road, as they were defying curfew orders imposed by the government.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2006)