Kathmandu - Tens of thousands of Maoist supporters Thursday blocked all roads leading to the central government secretariat in the capital Kathmandu, virtually halting the government's work.

About 60,000 Maoist supporters sat on several main streets that lead to the sprawling compounds of Singha Durbar, home to most of the ministries as well as the prime minister's office and government-owned radio and television stations.

The Maoist protest prevented some ministers and civil servants from reaching their offices.

"This protest is to restore civilian supremacy as well as for the protection of national integrity," Maoist chairman Puspha Kamal Dahal said. "People in government who don't respect people's demands should be cautious."

The demonstrators, who carried communist flags, chanted anti-government slogans and danced on the streets as they imposed a blockade of the complex.

Hundreds of police were deployed around Singha Durbar to prevent the Maoists from entering.

Thursday's demonstration was the latest in a series of protests announced by the former rebels since their government collapsed in a power struggle with the president nearly six months ago.

The power struggle centred on the sacking of the army chief by the Maoist-led government in May, a decision which was annulled by the president hours later.

The Maoists are demanding parliament debate the president's action but the other parties in the government have rejected the proposal.

The Maoists say the sacking of army chief Rupmangat Katuwal was an attempt to restore civilian control over the army.

The Maoists have warned of further protests if their demands are not met.

"If the government is not willing to listen to the people, then they will be swept aside," Maoist spokesman Dinanath Sharma said. "The history of the world has shown that all governments have had to bow down to the people's power."

The Maoists emerged as the single largest party in the April 2008 elections but fell well short of an outright majority.

A new coalition government took office after the fall of the Maoist government and has come under increasing attack from the Maoists. (dpa)