Arrests were necessary : Home minister

Kathmandu Jan 20-In a bid to foil the mass demonstration to be staged by the agitating seven political parties in the capital on Friday , the government from Monday imposed a ban on public gatherings in Kathmandu and Lalitpur.

The District Administration Offices (DAO) , in statements imposed a ban on public gatherings in areas within the Ring Road with effect from Jan.17 until further notice.

Saying that the protest demonstration of the seven political parties to be held on Jan.20 could be infiltrated by the Maoist rebels, the government asked the parties to call off their protest programme and “help resolve the problem through dialogue and understanding.”

But one day before the mass demonstration government arrest Humanright activist and leaders , impose curfew for friday a whole day.

The arrests were necessary because of the threat of Maoist violence, Nepal's home minister said according to Radio Nepal.

"The government has been compelled to take the step to stop the possible danger as we have received information about Maoist infiltration in the seven-party alliance's demonstration scheduled for Friday," state-run media Radio Nepal quoted Home Minister Kamal Thapa as saying.

"We are ready to show flexibility on imposed restrictions any time and are ready to support making the parties' programmes successful if they genuinely pledge to stay away from terrorist activities and activities that incite people," Thapa said.

"Nepal police have arrested 69 activists, and the Armed Police Force have arrested 38," said a police officer on condition of anonymity, one day before the protest. "The situation is normal," he added on Thursday.

The detainees are being held at a police training camp and various district police offices around the capital, a police officer said.
No charges have been brought and the officer said he had "no clue" how long they would remain in detention.

Sameas Minister for Information and Communications Shrish Shumshere Rana confirmed the shutdown Mobile phone

"The government is heightening its preparation for agitation, as the Home Ministry has said that there is a high possibility of violence during the demonstration on Friday," the minister told Rana declined to say how long mobile coverage would remain cut off.

The government said it feared the protest would be infiltrated by Maoist rebels, who carried out a series of deadly attacks around the capital last weekend.

Maoist leader Prachanda said in a statement Wednesday the rebels would steer clear of the rally.

In response to the attacks in Kathmandu a curfew has been imposed. The curfew is in operation in Kathmandu & Lalitpur between 9 pm and 4am (local time).

Rauthat district : 9pm to 4 am at the district headquarters Gaur Municipality, Gaur-Chandranigahpur section of the highway, Garuda bazaar, Chandranigahpur bazaar and all areas within 500 meters of the Mahendra highway from Bagmati to Dhansar
Syangja: 8pm to 4:00 am in Putali bazaar, Waling municipality and areas around the Siddharth highway in the district
Saptari district: 9pm to 4am in the Rajbiraj city area, areas from Koshi barrage in the east to Balan river in the west and within 500 meters of the Mahendra highway.
Parsa: 9 pm to 4 am on the main roads of the district.
Jhapa: 9 pm to 4 am in three municipalities and main market areas
Morang: 9 pm to 4 am in Biratnagar and other urban areas in the district
Tanahu: 9 pm to 4 am at the district headquarters in Damauli and areas around the highway
Siraha: 9 pm till 4 am in Lahan and other areas of the district
Sunsari and Dhanusha: 9 pm to 4 am in parts of the districts, check with authorities for precise details
Banke district: 9pm to 4am in Nepalgunj, Kohalpur and other areas
Kaski: 9 pm to 4 am in Pokhara and Lekhnath Municipality
Dang: curfew in place, timings not available
Bardia: 9pm to 4 am
Kapilvastu & Rupandehi districts: 9pm to 4 am
Taplejung:7pm to 4am.

Anyone seen out at this time will be arrested, those who resist arrest are likley to be shot on sight.

A leading international human rights agency has said human rights situation in Nepal got worse in 2005 with the security forces and the Maoist insurgents engaging in murder, torture, abductions arbitrary detentions.