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Kathmandu, Dec 21 (efe-epa).- Nepal on Monday witnessed protests and multiple arrests a day after the allegedly ‘unconstitutional’ dissolution of the parliament, a measure which is set to result in snap elections being held over a year ahead of schedule in April and May.
President Bidhya Devi Bhandari had on Sunday dissolved the parliament at the request of the cabinet led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, a step that has been challenged in the Supreme Court and termed unconstitutional by the opposition and rights activists.
Protests were held in at least 10 places across the country, including Kathmandu, Nepal Police spokesperson Basanta Bahadur Kunwar told EFE, adding that they had “arrested dozens of demonstrators who were protesting at a prohibited area.”
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Nepal’s ‘constitutional coup’ challenged
Reuters, KATHMANDU
Opponents of Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli yesterday turned to the Supreme Court to challenge his dissolution of parliament and the calling of an election, denouncing it as a “constitutional coup.”
Oli’s dissolution of parliament on Sunday raises the prospect of months of political turmoil in the Himalayan country as it battles COVID-19.
Seven government ministers stepped down after Oli’s dissolution, saying it was violation of the “popular mandate” given to them in a 2017 general election. Protesters burned effigies of him in the streets.
A man performs a torchlight anti-government protest in front of the parliament building in Kathmandu on Sunday.