Normal life was crippled on Tuesday in the southern districts of Nepal due to a general strike called by the Madhesis to protest the killing of three youths in police firing in Saptarai district, bordering India. In most of the 20 districts of southern Nepal, factories, industries and educational institutions remained shut due to the strike called by the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF). The UDMF has demanded that the victims be declared martyrs and compensation be given to their families. Three young Madhesi activists were killed when police opened fire to disperse a crowd which had encircled the venue of a public meeting of the main opposition party CPN-UMl in Saptari district on Monday.