Bombs explode in southern Nepal

A series of explosions rocked a southern Nepalese city on Wednesday where the nation's main political parties planned to hold a mass election rally, officials said.

One man on a bicycle was injured by a blast in the main market of Birgunj, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Katmandu, said the chief government administrator in the area, Bhola Siwakoti. He was hospitalized in stable condition.

No one was injured in several other minor explosions aimed at disrupting the rally, Siwakoti said.

Three suspects were arrested, he said, adding that security had been stepped up in the area.

"We have policemen guarding every corner of the city and all the entry points," he said.

Senior leaders of the seven-party ruling alliance were to address the rally later Wednesday. Several ethnic rights groups earlier called a general strike in the area to try to disrupt the rally and were suspected of involvement in the explosions, Siwakoti said.

The groups are demanding greater autonomy in southern Nepal, more seats in the national legislature and a guaranteed number of representatives in the administration.

Katmandu, Wednesday, AP