Nepal parties hold joint rally ahead of poll

Birgunj (Nepal), Jan 30 : Security has been tightened as Nepal's seven ruling parties prepare to address their joint election rally in Birgunj on Wednesday, ahead of the Constituent Assembly election slated for April 10.

Over 2000 security personnel, including from Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force (APF), have been deployed to check any untoward incident, reported the Nepalnews.

In addition to the existing 1000 security personnel in the city, another 1000 will be deployed, said Bhola Shiwakoti, the Chief District Officer of Parsa.

A number of armed outfits including Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-Jwala Singh) have called for a shutdown in Bara, Parsa and Rautahat districts in a bid to disrupt the rally.

The seven parties have already held similar joint election rallies in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Dhangadi, Janakpur and Nepalgunj.

On Tuesday, various agitating outfits of Terai, which had called a strike to protest against the rally, detonated bombs in areas near Birgunj. Police have arrested dozens of youths, including three Indians, suspecting their involvement in the explosions.

ANI