KATHMANDU, Sept 6: Pashupatinath Temple area returned to normalcy after the security seal was removed from Sunday morning. However, Maoists resumed their protest on the streets against the appointment of two Indian priests at the temple. [break]
Police intervened in the gatherings at Chabahil, Gaushala, Jayabageshwari and Tilganga and arrested five Maoists. The vehicular traffic in the capital remained disturbed from 9 to 11 in the morning due to a transport strike called by the Maoists in the Pashupati area. There is heavy security presence on the temple premises.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala condemned the attack on the priests. She said such incidents could hamper the cordial relationship between Nepal and India. "Such incidents will have a negative impact on Nepal´s relation with India," Koirala said on Sunday. Koirala also stressed that such incidents would tarnish Maoists´ image.
Indian ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood had on Saturday visited the two priests along with Culture Minister Dr Minendra Rijal. Raising India´s concern over the security of the priests, Sood appreciated the government´s assurance to provide security to the priests.
Nepal Sadabhavana Party on Sunday has also denounced Friday´s attack on Pashupatinath priests. The party said in a press release that the attack came as a political interference at the religious centre and demanded action against the guilty.
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