Nepalese police on high alert after explosions kill four people in Kathmandu
- Police suspect the blasts may have been the work of a splinter group of former Maoist rebels who are opposed to the government for arresting its supporters
Nepalese police arrested suspected Maoist activists after three deadly bomb blasts in Kathmandu as a general strike disrupted daily life in much of the South Asian nation on Monday, police said.
Amid a high alert after Sunday’s attacks, which were blamed on an outlawed Maoist group, police blew up several suspicious packages.
Police said at least 13 officials from the Maoist group had been arrested on Sunday night and early Monday in different parts of the country.
Schools and main markets remained closed on Monday in Kathmandu, while traffic was sparse during rush hour.
“Security agencies dealt with suspicious objects found in different areas, mostly outside the capital,” said police spokesman Bishwa Raj Pokharel.
The group had called for a nationwide general strike to pressure the government in releasing their detained members.