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KATHMANDU, Thursday (AFP) Nepal's government, battling a six-year-old Maoist insurgency, announced a 64,000-dollar reward for top rebel leaders whether they are dead or alive.

The government said it would provide five million rupees (64,000 dollars) for the capture or killing of Maoist supremo Puspa Kamal Dahal, alias Prachand, or top rebels Mohan Vaidya, alias Kiran, or Baburam Bhattarai.

"The reward will go to anyone who can hand them in, dead or alive," Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka said.

Anyone with valid information on the whereabouts of the three leading rebels would be rewarded half the bounty, he said.

The home ministry put at about 45,000 dollars the reward for the capture or killing of Maoist politburo and central committee members, and 12,800 dollars for platoon commanders or those in charge of rebel bureaus.

It was the first time the government had put prices on the heads of Maoist rebels.

The home ministry also released photographs of 40 rebels, including several women. It has been circulating pictures of the top Maoists since earlier this month.

The announcement was made as the Maoists began a five-day nationwide strike to press the government into talks the rebels hope will lead to the abolition of the monarchy.

The shutdown brought the capital Kathmandu and other cities to a virtual standstill, with most businesses closing down fearing attack.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has refused to resume talks with the rebels until they lay down their arms.

More than 3,100 people have died in Nepal since the Maoists launched their "people's war" in 1996. 

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