Close on the heels of Nepali Congress asking its cadres to court arrest voluntarily, another major opposition CPN (UML) has issued strict directives to its members to compulsorily take part in the agitation launched by five opposition parties.

In a statement issued Saturday, the Kathmandu valley coordination committee of the CPN (UML) has asked its workers “to court arrests in thousands, if the need be.”

In a statement issued by Yogesh Bhattarai, secretary of the party’s valley committee, the UML has said it will also organize meetings and interactions to listen to the complaints of the party cadres.

Only last week, Nepali Congress had asked its cadres not to go underground or into exile and prepare themselves for mass arrests defying the prohibitive orders issued by the government under the state of emergency.

The five-party alliance has said it would continue its agitation to press for restoration of peace and democracy in the country. Other members of the alliance include Nepali Congress (Democratic), Jana Morcha Nepal and Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandi Devi).