KATHMANDU, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN-M) Chairman Prachanda kicked off the second phase of the party's struggle to restore "civilian supremacy" Sunday evening in Nepali capital Kathmandu.

    He lit a specially designed torch -- to mark the beginning of the nationwide protest, throwing the capital's traffic out of gear during the rush hour.

    Thousands of UCPN-M members took part in the central rally, which was earlier initiated in various parts of the capital.

    All prominent UCPN-M leaders led several torch rallies in and around Ratnapark amid slogans of "People's war is not over." However, no untoward incident was reported. But the capital's streets were littered with bamboo sticks and doused torches.

    Earlier Sunday afternoon, Prachanda warned that the government would be held responsible if the UCPN-M's peaceful protest was suppressed.

    He also accused both the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist for ignoring the politics of consensus.

    The UCPN-M plan to impose blockade at all entry points of the capital Kathmandu Valley on Nov.10.