Nepal protest throws life out of gear; 200 arrested

Kathmandu, February 4

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At least six people, including two former ministers, were injured when police lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to baton charges to break up a protest rally during a nationwide general strike that paralysed normal life in Nepal on Thursday. Over 200 leaders and cadres of the Prachanda-led NCP faction were arrested for involvement in vandalism, arson, and other prohibited activities in different parts of the country, My Republica newspaper reported, citing police.

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) splinter faction-led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda called for the protests to oppose the appointment of office bearers and members of various constitutional bodies by PM KP Sharma Oli-led caretaker government.

“Protesters tried to vandalise cars and a police van, forcing police to resort to mild force in which six people including two police personnel were injured,” Dhanusa district administrator Bandhu Prasad Bastola said.

Two former ministers, Ram Chadra Jha and Matrika Yadav, who are also senior leaders of the rival faction of the ruling party, were among the injured in Dhanusa.

Police said at least 157 people were detained across the country to curb the violence.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari appointed as many as 32 office bearers to 11 constitutional bodies on Wednesday morning. The Prachanda-led faction has alleged that they were appointed unconstitutionally. The caretaker government has no right to make new appointments or reshuffle the cabinet, he said. Nepal plunged into a political crisis on December 20 after Oli, known for his pro-China leanings, in a surprise move dissolved Parliament, amidst a tussle for power with Prachanda. — Agencies