Police had arrested four persons, including the owner of Tara Hotel, where Karki was beaten up severely before his death a few hours later on Friday evening. According to locals, police nabbed two persons on Saturday morning and six others in the afternoon. [break]
Police, however, have not disclosed as to who have been arrested.
When asked about the details of the arrest, the chief of district police office, Okhaldhunga, Ram Kripal Sah said he was not in a position to give details as he was away from the office.
DSP Sah, however, said they have arrested the hotel owner and other persons for interrogation.
Chief District Officer of Okhaldhunga Phadindra Mani Pokharel declined to divulge details about the arrest. "We are still in the process of investigation," he said. "We can not give any details now."
Locals claim that the police have arrested even those who came to the hotel for lunch.
Karki was murdered Friday evening in Nishankhe village in Thulachhap VDC-4. He was fielded as UML candidate from Okhaldhunga-1 in 1999 general elections.
UML calls nationwide protests
A standing committee meeting of the CPN-UML on Saturday announced protests across the country against the killing of Karki.
The party has accused the Maoists of killing Karki while the UCPN (Maoist) has denied the allegation.
"Today´s [standing committee] meeting decided to stage demonstrations and take out rallies in various places across the country to expose Maoist brutality," said a statement issued by the party head office Saturday afternoon.
"UCPN (Maoist) cadres had been threatening Karki for a long time as he was a very active, established and popular UML leader in the district," the statement said, adding, "Finally Maoists killed him brutally." The party has also urged the Maoists to stop such heinous and criminal activities.
The ruling party demanded that the government bring the culprits to book and punish them.
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