Himalayan News Service

Pokhara, March 21:

Dozens of political activists were arrested from different parts of the country today while organising pro-democracy rallies. In Pokhara, police arrested several UML cadres including Balram Acharya, Hari Lamsal, Man Bahadur Gurung, Maya Bajracharya, Sahara Pradhan, Lila KC while they were demonstrating, a press release issued by UML Kaski district committee secretary Bijaya Babu Banwasi said. He has demanded immediate release of those arrested.

They were arrested while activists of the UML, Nepali Congress, NC-Democratic, Janmorcha Nepal and Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi) were organising a pro-democratic rally in Pokhara. In Tanahun six NC-D cadres were arrested from the district headquarters Damauli when they were organising a rally. Those arrested include Udayaraj Gauli, Parmeshwor Bhattarai and Purna Chandra Khanal of NC and Dal Bahadur Dura, Shiva Sharan Wagle of NC-D and UML district committee member Ek Bahadur Rana. Similarly, Govinda Silwal and Surya Bhakta Bhandari were hurt when the police lathi charged them, Raghunath Poudel, chairman of NC, Tanahun, said.

In Kalaiya the district headquarters of Bara, police arrested over 30 political cadres including two local journalists, our local correspondent reported. Over 25 demonstrators including president of NC Parsa district committee, Rajendra Bahadur Amatya, former assistant minister Aajaya Chaurashiya and central member of Tarun Dal Bijaya Karna were arrested and later freed in Birgunj today morning. In Nepalgunj, police arrested over 20 political activists while they were staging a pro-democratic rally. Those arrested include former minister Shiv Raj Joshi, former DDC member Madhav Shahi including. Meanwhile, in Taplejung seven politicians detained on Friday by the police for participating an interaction programme against the February 1 royal take over were freed today. In Bara, the District Administration Office released 13 Nepali Congress cadres arrested while staging a pro-democratic protest rally on Sunday. The released cadres included NC central committee member Pharmullah Mansur among others.