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The across the nation strike in most of Nicaragua led to empty streets on Friday as businesses shut their doors, heeding the call of civil society groups that have demanded President of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega's resignation after more than three months of bloody civil agitation.

The general strike followed mass protests that spread-out across the Central American nation on Thursday.

When its leftist president proposed a reduction in pension benefits to cover a social security deficit, Nicaragua has been convulsed by unrest since April. Yet, the plan was subsequently dropped, intense deadly demonstrations and led to demands for Ortega's resignation and early elections.

In clashes between pro-Ortega forces and demonstrators, nearly 300 people have been killed rights groups say, in the fatal protests in Nicaragua since its civil war ended in 1990.

"I invite (protesters) to end the confrontation and that all of us unite to give people the peace that Nicaragua needs," he said, flanked by supporters.

Ortega, a Cold War-era United States foe, is presently serving his third consecutive term which runs until 2021.

According to local media reports, a few students were barred later on Sunday inside the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, located in the capital, as pro-Ortega paramilitary groups shot at the building from outside.

It was not clear-cut how many people had been injured at the university.

Representatives of civil society organizations have called for early elections to end the deadlock, while Ortega's top diplomat fired the possibility during a session of the Organization of American States in Washington.

"You can't strengthen the country’s institutions, you can't strengthen the country’s democracy by violating its constitution…and impose the will of groups that seek a change of government," said Foreign Minister Denis Moncada.

By Sowmya Sangam