Vandalism and arson on second day of strike

KATHMANDU, AUG 17 - The second day of nationwide general strike enforced by the CPN-Maoist led 33-party alliance on Monday remained tense and witnessed multiple vehicles being vandalised and torched for defying the shutdown.

Police arrested 90 activists of the Front from various parts of the country on charges of inciting violent activities including arson and vandalism. At least 72 activists were taken under control from Kathmandu, eight from Lalitpur, one each from Makawanpur and Taplejung headquarters for enforcing the strike. Apart from these, eight Limbuwan cadres were arrested from Jhapa.

In Kathmandu, agitators broke the front window pane of a Bolero (BR 3980) parked near the Nil Barahi School at Tankeshwor in Kalimati and set it on fire after sprinkling petrol on it. The Front activists also vandalised a bus (Ba 1 Kha 9253) near the Medicare Hospital at Chabahil.

The agitators also torched a taxi (Ba 1 Jha 5089) parked at Kalopul area in Kathmandu while police intervened at the right time to prevent a three-wheeler (Ba 1 Ha 3730) from being set on fire in front of the Dwarika's Hotel.

In Lalitpur sub-metropolis, a bus (Ba 2 Kha 6337) was vandalised while in Makawanpur agitators smashed the headlight of a motorbike (Na 14 Pa 6732) at Budha Chowk of Hetauda sub metropolis - 10. Police has taken under control Saroj Gajurel, 17, who lives in Hetauda sub-metropolis-20.

The agitators have smashed the front glass of a motorbike (Sa 1 Pa 7498) at Sheshchowk of Biratnagar sub-metropolis-18.

Similarly, in Dhulabari of Jhapa district in the east of the country, the banda enforcers torched two Maruti vans.

Meanwhile, strike enforcers protesting the delineation of the provincial borders at Kudari-1 in Jumla took down the sign boards in front of the health post, VDC office and police station and set in on fire.

The agitators prevented a police team heading to control the fire at an agricultural centre at Chandannath-1.

In Mugu, agitators installed banners reading Federal Karnali Province at various government offices at Sri Nagar Bazaar.