Kathmandu, Sep 24 - Despite repeated warnings by the former Maoist guerrillas, Nepal's biggest and most popular beauty pageant Miss Nepal was off to a flying start Thursday after being forced to shelve the contest last year.

Compered by a former Miss Nepal Malavika Subba and having another former Miss Nepal Sugarika K.C. on the panel of judges, the Fem Miss Nepal 2009 contest began the task of choosing this year's winner from 15 women in a low-key but determined show.

Two hours before the contest started, 11 Maoist organisations, which Wednesday had warned they would put up a strong protest, held a half-hearted demonstration in front of the Tribhuvan Army Club where the venue had been shifted.

'Women comprise more than half the population of Nepal,' said Manu Humagain, coordinator of the United Struggle Committee formed by the former rebels to stage protests against the pageant scheduled to be held in the capital Thursday.

Police said it was a symbolic protest with no violence.