Seven-party protests continue; dozens arrested

Over 25 leaders and activists of the seven-party alliance were arrested as police intervened into their demonstration at New Road in central Kathmandu this afternoon.

Riot police baton charged and fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protesters as they tried to enter into the prohibited area near New Road.

CPN (UML) leaders KP Sharma Oli and Keshab Badal and Nepali Congress leaders Khum Bahadur Khadka and Bal Dev Sharma Majgainya were among those arrested. The arrested leaders have been kept at the Mahendra Police Club.

According to our correspondent on site, journalists covering the protest program were mistreated by the police.

Vowing to violate the government’s prohibitory orders, the seven parties have intensified their agitations in Kathmandu since Saturday. nepalnews.com mk/by Sept 06 05