Kathmandu, January 19

Seen in the pictures below are cadres affiliated to the main opposition Nepali Congress with their heads shaved to orchestrate a funeral as part of a protest against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after he announced the dissolution of parliament, in Kathmandu, on Tuesday.

During the protest, riot police were seen taking some of the demonstrators into custody.

On December 20, PM Oli recommended the dissolution of House of Representatives, which was promptly approved by President Bidya Devi Bhandari, while also announcing that mid-term elections would be held in April-May, 2021.

This has created much chaos within the political sphere of the country. Following the decision, the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) split into two on December 22. Former prime ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal lead one splinter group while the other faction is under the leadership of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The uncalled move of dissolving the House has ushered much flak and widespread condemnation for Prime Minister Oli.

Photos captured by photojournalist Skanda Gautam for The Himalayan Times –