KATHMANDU, March 19: A total of 17 leaders and cadres of Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) led by Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’ have been arrested by the police with the government announcement to recognize the party as a criminal and ‘violent group’ and respond to their activities accordingly.
According to Nepal Police Spokesperson Uttam Raj Subedi, among the arrested, five were held from the Kathmandu Valley. They are being prosecuted.
Conflict victims slam ‘symbolic prosecution’
Party politburo member Mohan Karki is among the arrested. As the Nepal Police said, it has been keeping a close tab on the party activities and additional measures have been adopted for strengthened security.
Besides, the government decided to take legal action against those having direct or indirect connections with the party. It has reached to a conclusion that the latest party activities are violent and capable of constituting crimes, instead of political ones.
Earlier, the government issued a public notice for handover of illegal arms within the 35 days coming into effect from March 15. The party had its involvement in the forced donation drive, explosions and other activities banned by the law in the past, the police said. RSS