Kathmandu, March 5

With just a week to go for the Holi festival, the Ministry of Home Affairs today warned revellers against hurling water-filled balloons and forcefully smearing colourful powder on pedestrians, women and children.

"It is against the existing law to misbehave with pedestrians and passers-by and throw water-filled balloons and plastic pouches or smear colourful powders on their face forcefully against their will on the pretext of Holi celebrations," a press statement issued today by MoHA said.

People in the Valley and hilly regions will celebrate the festival on March 12, while folks in the Tarai will mark the festival the next day.

The home ministry has directed Nepal Police to keep vigil on 'miscreants and use of plastic' before and during Holi. "If any person misbehaves with pedestrians in the name of celebrating Holi, action will be initiated against him/her," it said.

According to police, the offenders will be brought to book as per the Public (Crime and Punishment) Act, 1970.

The law strictly forbids riotous behaviour, molestation, battery, nuisance or misconduct with the intention of harassing or causing trouble to another person.

The District Administration Office may punish the accused with a fine of up to Rs 10,000 or two years of jail, or both depending on the gravity of offence, if convicted.