Over 200 people were arrested on Thursday for their involvement in arson and vandalism during a general strike called by theNepal Communist Party’s splinter faction-led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ that paralysed normal life across the country.
The strike was called by Prachanda-led faction to oppose the appointment of office bearers and members of various constitutional bodies by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli-led caretakergovernment.
Major markets, educational institutions, offices and factories were shut down while transport services were disrupted during the strike.
The government had mobilised at least 5,000 security personnel in Kathmandu to prevent any untoward incident. Only few motorbikes were seen moving around the capital city.
Over 200 cadres and leaders of the Prachanda-ledfaction were arrested for their involvement in vandalism, arson, and other prohibited activities in different parts of the country, My Republica newspaper reported.
Nepal Communist Party’s Central Committee members Ashta Laxmi Shakya, Bijaya Poudel, Hitnath Shakya, Himal Sharma and Amrita Thapa were among those arrested. The protesters vandalised at least three vehicles in Kathmandu for defying the strike.
Police arrested at least 100 leaders and cadres of the Prachanda-led faction.
