KATHMANDU: Police have arrested rights activists, who came out in protest against the dissolution of House of Representatives (HoR), from outside Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar.

Over 20 activists have been taken into police custody. Among those arrested is human rights activist Krishna Pahadi.

The group have come out in protest against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's controversial move of dismantling the Lower House which they have termed unconstitutional, and have called upon the Prime Minister to "stop misuse of state machinery".

Prime Minister Oli, also chair of one of the splinter groups of ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP), recommended the dissolution of HoR on December 20, which was promptly approved by President Bidya Devi Bhandari. The President also announced mid-term elections for April-May 2021.

What followed was a split in NCP into two factions, one led by PM Oli while the other led by former prime ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal. Likewise, discontent groups -- political parties and general public alike -- began protests calling on the PM to reinstate the House.

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