KATHMANDU, Feb 4: The general strike announced by the Dahal-Nepal faction of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) affected normal life as cadres of the faction were involved in vandalism, arson, and other violent activities. They clashed with the police in different parts of the country while trying to enforce the strike.
According to police, more than 200 cadres and leaders of the faction were arrested for their involvement in vandalism, arson, and other prohibited activities. Here is a province-wise account of the major incidents that happened during the general strike on Thursday.
Province 1
At least nine protesters were arrested in the province. “Six protesters were arrested in Biratnagar, while three arrests were made in Sunsari,” DSP Bipin Regmi, spokesperson for Province 1 Police, told Repulica.
Likewise, protesters vandalized at least eight vehicles in Morang and Sunsari districts.
Province 2
Police arrest 157 strike enforcers, 11 incidents of vandalism r...
According to the Province 2 Police, at least 27 rounds of bullets were fired in air while trying to control a clash between the cadres of the Dahal-Nepal faction and local entrepreneurs at Shiva Chowk, Janakpur. Likewise, police also lobbed 12 shells of tear gas shells to bring the situation under control. Two police personnel – a constable and an assistant sub inspector -- were also injured in the incident.
In the clash, 10 cadres of the faction including leaders Ram Chandra Jha and Matrika Yadav were also injured. “At least 63 arrests were made in the province,” according to DSP Nawa Ratna Poudel, spokesperson for the Province Police.
According to police, a truck in Lahan, and a pickup van in Janakpur were vandalized by the protesters. Likewise, the protesters also pelted stones at a Nepal Police vehicle in Janakpur.
Kathmandu Valley
Police arrested at least 100 leaders and cadres of the Dahal-Nepal faction in the Kathmandu Valley. There was an incident of arson as a taxi was torched in Gongabu in the morning.
Police arrested central committee members Asta Laxmi Shakya, Bijaya Poudel, Hitnath Shakya, and Amrita Thapa from Kalanki. Likewise, central committee member Krishna KC was arrested from Chabahil, while youth leader Ramesh Malla was arrested from Bagbazar.
According to police, there were some incidents in the Valley where the protesters tried to vandalize vehicles.
Gandaki Province
According to DIG Ghana Shyam Aryal, there was no untoward incident in the province. However, police arrested 17 protesters trying to enforce the strike in the province. “At least 16 protesters were arrested from Tanahnu, while one was arrested from Kaski,” said Aryal.
Lumbini Province
Sensing possible violence, police in Lumbini Province escorted the public vehicles to their destinations. According to police, there were no untoward incidents in the province, however, a few protesters were arrested for trying to enforce the strike.
Karnali Province
Karnali Province Police said that there were no untoward incidents in the province. “No one was arrested in the province. However, the protesters pelted stones at a tractor loaded with sand in Surkhet district in the evening,” said a police officer of Karnali Province Police.
Sudur Paschim Province
According to police, no arrests were made in the province. Though the general strike announced by the Dahal-Nepal faction of NCP affected normal life, no untoward incident happened in the province. “There were no incidents of vandalism or arson in the province,” according to SSP Mukesh Kumar Singh.
