Over 200 'pro-democracy' protestors arrested

Katmandu, March 21 (BDNEWS)- Over 200 political leaders and cadres were arrested during a nationwide 'civil disobedience' program, a part of the movement against the Feb 1 royal move, called by the Nepali Congress Sunday.
Reports said at least 92 protestors were rounded up by security personnel in Sarlahi district. CPN (UML) cadres who took to streets in support of the NC's protest program were among the arrested. Similarly, 40 protestors were arrested during a protest in the eastern city of Biratnagar while 23 activists were arrested in Birganj, 18 in Bardiya, 16 in Mahottari, 11 in Dang and 10 in Dhanusha district.
In Kathmandu, police arrested at least a dozen NC activists including NC leader and former state minister Suresh Malla and NC leader and businessman Chiranjivi Nidhi Tiwari from Ason Chowk when they were staging a demonstration this afternoon, said a Nepali Website.
Five NC protestors were held in Tansen, Palpa district, while three activists were arrested in Pokhara while trying to stage demonstration in front of the District Administration Office, reports from Pokhara said.
Protests were organised in Dharan and Itahari of Sunsari district, Dhankuta and Ilam districts. The NC has said that more than 200 leaders and cadres have been arrested from various parts of the country. However, authorities are yet to confirm the number of arrests.
In a circular last week, the NC had asked its leaders and cadres around the country to court arrests as part of its movement protest against the Feb 1 move.
BDNEWS/0950hrs