Police arrested dozens of leaders and activists of the agitating political parties in different parts of the country during anti-election rallies on Tuesday against tomorrow’s municipal elections.

In Kathmandu, at least 18 agitators were arrested from separate protest rallies carried out by the Nepali Congress (NC) and United Left Front (ULF) this afternoon. Over a dozen NC activists were apprehend from a rally at Thahiti while half a dozen protesters were detained during a rally organised by the ULF at Bhotahiti.

ULF top leader CP Mainali was among those arrested from Bhotahiti. The rallies were taken out despite heavy security presence in view of the weeklong nationwide bandh (shutdown strike) called by the Maoists from Sunday.

Similarly, police took into custody over two dozen activists of the seven-party alliance during an anti-election demonstration in Mahottari district while 19 persons were arrested in Chitwan today, according to reports. More than a dozen protesters were detained in Rajbiraj, Saptari district, while rallies were carried out in Biratnagar, Dang and several other places also.

In another development, medical professionals associated with Nepal Medical Association showed their opposition against Wednesday’s municipal polls, wearing back band during working hours today. They gathered at the Association’s central office in Kathmandu, expressing solidarity to the boycott call of the agitating political parties.