Kathmandu, Sept 06: Over 100 people, including prominent opposition leaders, today courted arrest in Kathmandu defying the government's ban on protest demonstrations. Those arrested include deputy general secretary of Nepali Congress Govinda Raj Joshi, central members of the party Sunil Bhandari and Binayadhoj Chand and workers of five agitating parties.
Today was the third day of the `civic disobedience movement' launched by the five major opposition parties in Nepal, demanding revival of the house of representatives and formation of an all-party government.
In the past three days, over 2,100 people have courted arrest defying the government's ban on public meetings and rallies.
Around 1000 protestors were released by the government today. However, around 1000 more party workers and about 100 student leaders are still in police detention.
The political parties are preparing to launch a nationwide disobedience movement on September 10, the final day of their week-long agitation.
King Gyanendra is scheduled to return to Nepal from London after his medical check-up on that day.
Bureau Report