PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Protesters who hold United Nations soldiers from Nepal responsible for an outbreak of cholera that has killed nearly 1,000 people barricaded Haiti’s second-largest city on Monday, burning cars and stoning a peacekeeping base.

The protesters also blame the Nepalese unit at the base for the death of a Haitian youth there in August.

Demonstrations began in Cap-Haitien about 6 a.m. and within hours paralyzed much of the northern port city, national television reporter Johnny Joseph told The Associated Press by phone. An AP television cameraman trying to reach the area was repelled late Monday by protesters throwing rocks and bottles from a barricade.

Protesters have also targeted other U.N. bases and Haitian national police stations in the city. Haitian radio reported a police substation was burned.

U.N. soldiers and Haitian police fired tear gas and projectiles to disperse at least 1,000 protesters at the Nepalese base, Haitian radio reported. Joseph said a Haitian was killed in the melee, but had no details and the report could not be immediately confirmed.

At least 12 Haitians have been injured, Radio Metropole reported. There have been no reports of injuries to U.N. personnel or other foreigners.

“We remain very concerned about the volatile situation in Cap-Haitien,” U.N. mission spokesman Vincenzo Pugliese said.

He blamed political elements for stoking the unrest. “It looks like the demonstration began in three or four parts in the city in a simultaneous way (which) means it was planned ahead or organized,” he said.