Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoist banda enforcers torched a taxi at Tinkune and vandalised a microbus at Manamaiju in the Capital on Thursday.

Chand-led Maoists had called for a nationwide general strike today.

The taxi, Ba 1 Cha 8206, that was set into flames by the banda organisers has been completely damaged.

Likewise, the banda organisers hurled stones at a Sajha Yatayat bus in Tripureshwor, leaving the driver injured. The injured driver is receiving medical attention. The police have arrested one in connection with the incident.

In Pokhara, according to our local correspondent Lal Prasad Sharma, police have arrested 9 banda enforcers.

Similarly, 20 CPN Maoist cadres who were enforcing banda have been detained from Sarlahi. One of the arrested was wielding a Khukuri, informed Sarlahi DSP Sitaram Rijal. Public transportation services along the highway have been hampered due to the strike.

Meanwhile, police have arrested 30 banda enforcers from across the Capital. They were apprehended from Ratnapark, Kalimati and areas near Balaju, according to Metropolitan Police Circle spokesperson SP Pradhyumna Karki.

Likewise, 11 banda enforcers have been detained from Lalitpur along with catapults.

A large number of security personnel have been deployed in the Capital streets to prevent any untoward incident.

Police arrest two CPN Maoist leaders for taxi arson

Police have arrested two Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoist leaders for allegedly setting a taxi on fire on Thursday morning.

Kathmandu Police Chief SSP Bikram Singh Thapa informed that they have detained CPN Maoist Trade Union Chairman Yogendra Kumal and his office assistant as per the description given by the driver.

The assailants, this morning at around 3:40 am, posed as customers and rented the taxi from Bijulibazar before setting the taxi, Ba 1 Jha 8206, on fire.

As per the complaint filed by the driver, the assailants stopped the taxi at Tinkune posing as passengers and set the vehicle on fire by sprinkling petrol.

SSP Thapa said the investigation on the matter will move ahead once the taxi driver indentifies the arrested individuals.

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