The student protest comes even as the coalition government of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is grappling with an indefinite siege on parliament called by the Maoist parliamentary party since last Friday over the old quarrel with the chief of the Nepal Army.

Though the controversial general, Rookmangud Katawal, went on leave this week and is to retire next month, the Maoists, who tried to sack him in May but failed, are seeking action against him, President Ram Baran Yadav who saved the general by reinstating him, and the government.

The new unrest comes ahead of the prime minister's first official visit to India, scheduled Aug 18.

Maoist chief and former premier Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has warned that the writing and promulgation of a new constitution by May 2010 would be derailed if the government fails to pacify his party and reach a consensus.

Though the Maoists ended their armed insurgency two years ago and signed a peace agreement, peace and stability have continued to elude the nascent republic due to the growing disagreements and distrust between the major parties.