77 leaders and cadres including Ashtalakshmi Shakya under control

Kathmandu. Dozens of protesters were arrested on Thursday morning during a general strike called by the Prachanda-Nepal group of the CPN (Maoist). So far, 77 protesters have been arrested from Kalanki, Samakhushi, Sohrakhutte and Maharajgunj.

Meanwhile, leader Ashtalakshmi Shakya has also been taken under police control. Leaders and activists including Shakya were arrested while they were on the streets to make the strike a success. Spokesperson of the Metropolitan Police Office (SP) Sushil Singh Rathore informed that they were kept at the Armed Police Force Battalion No. 2 in Maharajgunj.

The Prachanda-Nepal group, which has been protesting against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s move to dissolve the House of Representatives, went on strike on Wednesday after the swearing in of constitutional body officials without a parliamentary hearing.

During the general strike, the police administration has tightened security in the capital. The Home Ministry had issued a press release on Wednesday urging to run the transport business without any hindrance.