KATMANDU, Nepal, May 27, SPA -- A general strike shut down Nepal's capital Sunday as schoolteachers pressured the government to rein in police who they accused of beating demonstrating teachers. Members of the Nepal Teachers' Republic Forum stopped vehicles and burned tires on Katmandu's main streets to enforce the general strike. Vehicles remained off the roads, businesses were shuttered, and markets closed in the capital, as people walked to their destinations. Strike leader Gunraj Lohani said the teachers havedemanded better working conditions in both public andprivate schools and improved benefits. They also want to«stop the commercialization of the education sector,» hesaid. Lohani said Sunday's strike was called to protest thealleged beating of teachers who were demonstratingpeacefully in front of the Education Ministry on Friday. Heaccused police of using bamboo batons to dispersedemonstrators and firing tear gas. At least 70 people wereinjured, he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. The teachers have shut down schools across this Himalayan nation for the past 11 days, and millions of students have been forced to stay at home. The police headquarters in Katmandu said there was noreports of violence Sunday. No comment was given on theteachers' allegations of excessive force.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/453439