A national strike in Nepal over the death in prison of an opposition leader has brought life in much of the country to a standstill.

Schools, colleges, and businesses were closed and roads were deserted Monday as supporters of the country's main opposition party, the Nepali Congress, gathered in city streets to enforce the general strike.

The opposition called for the shutdown after an opposition leader was reportedly attacked while in prison in southern Nepal. He was jailed on suspicion of murdering a political rival.

Police said the strike was mostly peaceful, but protesters attacked at least three vehicles in the capital, Katmandu, and there were similar reports from other parts of the country. Police have detained 16 protesters in Katmandu.