Former Prime Minister and Chairman of Naya Shakti Nepal, Baburam Bhattarai, was arrested from outside the Election Commission (EC) Office   at Kantipath, Kathmandu on Sunday.

Bhattarai, his wife Hisila Y ami, and CPN Maoist Revolutionary leader CP Gajurel, among others, were held while they were staging a sit-in out outside the EC office. According to Bhattarai’s aide Bishwodeep Pandey, police personnel badly treated the leaders by hauling them into a truck after their arrest.

Five political parties registered with the EC including Naya Shakti Nepal staged sit-in outside EC in protest against what they said as the election holding body’s refusal to grant election symbol. Prior to this, the agitating political parties had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasadi Yadav demanding amendment to the Election Act 2073.

While submitting a memorandum to PM Dahal on Thursday, Naya Shaki Nepal had issued a 48-hour memorandum to PM Dahal. Naya Shakti, among others parties, staged a two-hour sit-in (from 9 to 11) this morning outside EC offices across the nation.

PHOTOS: SALIGRAM TIWARI