MONROVIA, Liberia (Reuters) - Blue-helmeted U.N. peacekeepers reinforced roadblocks and searched cars in Liberia's capital Monrovia Wednesday, seeking to restore order after two days of rioting by disgruntled government soldiers.

The catalyst for the unrest was a U.N. disarmament program which kicked off Sunday to cement an August peace deal meant to end 14 years of civil war in the West African country.

Scores of government militiamen took to the streets after learning that instead of the $300 they had been promised in return for their weapons they would get a first installment of $150 at the end of a three-week demobilization program.

The fighters -- many of them young men who have known little else in life than war and are used to grabbing what they want at gunpoint -- rampaged into the night in the capital Tuesday, smashing and hijacking cars, and firing their weapons.

State radio said one woman was shot dead by the fighters, gunmen loyal to now-exiled former Liberian President Charles Taylor from groups known as "Wild Geese" and "Black Marine." Witnesses said at least six people were injured.

To help restore calm, the U.N. mission in Liberia announced Tuesday fighters would now be given $75 on handing their weapons to peacekeepers at the camp.

A 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. curfew was also declared for Tuesday night. It will start at 8 p.m. from Wednesday.

U.N. peacekeepers set up more checkpoints Wednesday near Taylor's former residence in Congo Town and the nearby eastern suburb of Paynesville.

The troops searched cars, especially those carrying combatants heading toward a disarmament center near Monrovia on the road to the airport.

Hundreds of fighters armed with Kalashnikovs, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades gathered at a junction, waiting for U.N. trucks to take them to Schieffelin Camp. Others used private cars.

The U.N. force charged with the disarmament of some 40,000 combatants will at full strength have 15,000 peacekeepers. But so far only 4,500 troops have arrived.

In addition to the money, fighters were promised vocational training under the disarmament scheme, part of a peace deal between Taylor's government and rebel factions, which was made possible by his departure into exile.

More than 1,500 government fighters have already been disarmed. Rebels holding most of the country are due to assemble in camps by year-end but some rebels have cast doubt on this.