The government said police have taken into custody 214 people for defying the curfew orders imposed in the capital, Kathmandu, on Friday.

The Home Ministry said those arrested will be released after investigation. It did not provide details.

As the ten-hour long curfew was lifted at 6:00 p. m. on Friday, people were seen rushing to their houses from offices and flocking to nearby grocery shops to buy essential household goods. Crowds had also gathered at major thoroughfares of the capital after the curfew was relaxed for three hours.

Overnight curfew will again be imposed from 9:00 p. m. until 4:00 a. m. on Saturday.

There was heavy security around the capital Friday as Royal Nepalese Army personnel and personnel from Nepal Police and Armed Police Force guarded the Kathmandu streets.

Vehicles belonging to security agencies, media and human rights groups and those that had already obtained curfew passes could be seen plying on the roads.

While most of the shops remained closed even after the lifting of the curfew this evening, two wheelers and four wheelers could be seen speeding off on the streets.

Meanwhile, preliminary reports say hundreds of opposition activists carried out protests including torch-lit rallies in various parts of the capital as soon as the day-long curfew was lifted. There were reports of clashes between security forces and opposition activists at Gongabu and other parts of the valley this evening.

Opposition activists took out a torch-lit rally from Maitidevi to Dilli Bazar this evening. At least two opposition activists were arrested while taking part in a separate torch lit rally at Chabahil, reports said.

Details are being awaited.

Meanwhile, the seven party opposition alliance has said it will continue to defy prohibitory orders. The alliance said it will organize a mass meeting at Basantapur of Kathmandu at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. “The government’s repressive moves will not deter our mass movement,” said a statement issued by the CPN (UML) on Friday.