Hundreds of leaders and activists of the seven agitating political parties, human rights workers and journalists were arrested from protest rallies around the country organised to mark last year’s February 1 royal move as ‘black day’ on Wednesday.

Police manhandle senior journalist Kanak Mani Dixit during a peaceful protest organised by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists at Bhotahiti (a restricted area), Kathmandu, Wednesday, Feb 01 06. nepalnews.com/rh

Police manhandle senior journalist Kanak Mani Dixit during a peaceful protest…
In Kathmandu, at least two dozen leaders and activists of the seven-party alliance were rounded up when riot police intervened into their demonstration at New Road, a restricted area, this afternoon.

Hundreds of agitators who gathered at New Road at around 2:00 p.m. waved black flags and chanted slogans against the ‘repressive’ royal regime and demanded immediate restoration of democracy in the country.

The seven parties took out protest rallies from Teku, Kalimati and Basantpur and clashes between the police and the agitators were reported at some places. Security forces also barred the parties from holding a mass gathering at Basantapur.

Sporadic protests continue around New Road areas at the moment, our correspondent on the site said over the phone.

Similarly, hundreds of seven-party protesters were rounded up in Biratnagar, Jhapa, Pokhara, Rajbiraj, Dang, Banke and various other places during the ‘black day’ demonstrations, reports said. There were also reports of scuffles during the protests.

Meanwhile, security men opened blank fire to disperse the agitators in Bhadrapur, Jhapa, this afternoon. Few protesters were also beaten up by the police, reports quoting local leaders of the Nepali Congress said.

Similarly, dozens of journalists and human rights activists were apprehended from protest rallies in Kaski, Ilam, Khotang, Jhapa, Udaypur, Tapjejung Banke and many other places. Demanding press freedom and freedom of expression, journalists staged demonstration in Banke’s Nepalgunj, before a daylong curfew started at 11:00 a.m.

The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) is organising a major demonstration in the restricted areas in central Kathmandu from 4:00 p.m.