Professionals and social activists continued their protests on the New Year day as well in support of the ongoing democratic movement of the seven opposition political parties.

There are reports of peaceful demonstrations in different parts of the country in which dozens of protesters have been taken into custody.

In Kathmandu, 14 social activists were arrested from a protest rally organised by NGO Federation Nepal at Baneshwor Friday morning, defying the prohibitory orders. Federation’s vice-chairperson Bhagwati Nepal is one of those arrested by the police, officials at the Federation said.

Similarly, police arrested 44 persons including 14 journalists from a protest rally organised in Baglung Bazaar, the district headquarters of Baglung. Members of Baglung Jaycees, journalists and human rights workers participated in the rally that marched around the town this morning, reports said.

Similarly, professional organisations associated with Professionals’ Alliance for Peace and Democracy (PAPAD) staged a rally in Pokhara today, demanding return of power to the people.

Meanwhile, all 150 members of the Association of International NGOs (AIN) who were arrested from a peace rally at Maitighar, Kathmandu, on Thursday were released today. Women participations taken into custody from the protest were released on Thursday evening, according to AIN officials. nepalnews.com mk Apr 14 06