Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal of Nepal has refused to step down despite mass protests led by the Maoist opposition party.
Thousands of people, some armed with bamboo sticks, were on the streets of the capital, Kathmandu, on Sunday demanding the government's resignation.
The BBC reports the country has come to a standstill.
Maoist leader Prachanda says the government is not supported by the people and the strike will continue until the government resigns and they can take over the country.
The Maoists are the largest party in parliament. They briefly led a coalition government in 2008, but it split in 2009
