Government bans rallies in Kathmandu, leaders arrested

Kathmandu, Apr 4 (UNI) In a bid to foil the four-day general strike called by the seven political parties, the government today issued prohibitory orders on holding public gatherings in Kathmandu Valley.

The district administration offices of Kathmandu and Lalitpur in separate statements banned public gatherings, rallies and sit-ins within the areas inside the Ring Road with effect from tomorrow until further notice, a day before the demonstration planned by the seven party alliance.

''The ban was imposed because of the increasing violence and unruly activities in several parts of the Kathmandu Metropolis and Lalitpur sub metropolis,'' a government statement said.

Meanwhile Leaders and students of the agitating political parties said they would defy the ban.

''We will disobey the prohibitory order of the Government and answer aptly if the government uses its force to suppress the peaceful movement,'' a leader of Nepali Congress told UNI.

Meanwhile the government arrested more than 25 leaders from New Baneshwar just before a protest rally. Leaders like Hriydesh Tripathi of the Nepal Sadhawana party (Anandadevi), Mahendra Yadav of Nepali Congress were arrested this afternoon .

Similarly the police arrested at least 25 students from a demonstration at the Shankardev Campus in Putalisadak. Students of various campuses including Tri-Chandra, Shankardev, Pashupati Multiplke Campus at Chahabil, RR Campus and Mahendra Ratna Campus at Thachal held programmes to support the seven-party alliance's general strike called from April 6-9.

The seven political parties had called general strike for four days from Thursday to protest against the autocratic rule.

UNI XC PM HT2055