Police have taken into custody over two dozen professionals including journalists, lawyers and professors on Wednesday morning as they were taking out a peaceful rally in defiance of prohibitory orders from New Baneshwore of Kathmandu.

Those arrested include president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists Bishnu Nisthuri, general secretary Mahendra Bista, Chairman of Nepal Bar Association Sambhu Thapa among others.

They were arrested one day before the general strike of seven political parties.

Local authorities in Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts on Tuesday issued prohibitory orders, barring public assemblies and rallies within Ring Road area from Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in a bid to foil the general strike of seven political parties the government has started to arrest leaders of major political parties.

Police arrested leaders of various political parties this morning.

Those arrested include central committee members of Nepali Congress (Democratic) Bimalendra Nidhi, Minendra Rijal and Man Mohan Bhattrai.

Police also arrested leaders of CPN-UML and Nepali Congress after carrying out search operation at the residence of leaders.

Details to follow. nepalnews.com pb/by Apr 05 06