Kathmandu: Traffic was halted for an hour in Kathmandu today as two dozen fringe parties including the CPN-Maoist staged a sit-in around the Secretariat, as part of a 10-day protest against formation of the Interim Election Government led by Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi.
The parties were also protesting the government`s announcement of the date for the fresh elections to the Constituent Assembly.
Security was beefed up around Singha Durbar, main administrative complex that houses Prime Minister`s Office, and other important government buildings, during the protests to avoid any untoward incidents.
The fringe parties, on March 24, had unveiled a 10-day protest programme including protest rallies, public meetings, sit-in and shutdowns among others.
The parties have been demanding dissolution of the Chief Justice-led government and a halt to preparations for the elections.
They have expressed dissatisfaction that the election date is being announced without consulting them.
Although the government has called the agitating parties for dialogue, they have been shying away from talks saying they would not hold talks with the current government but only with the President.
Months of political and constitutional crisis in Nepal ended on March 14 with Chief Justice Regmi`s appointment as the country`s new Prime Minister to head the interim government that will hold elections to the 601-member Constituent Assembly.
PTI
