Coalition of Four Parties Condemns Arrests of Communist Leaders, Demands Immediate Release

Kathmandu. The 'Central Joint Struggle Committee,' comprising four political parties including the Revolutionary Communist Party of Nepal, has protested the government over the arrest of Rishi Kattel, Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal, and Dharmendra Bastola, General Secretary of the Nepal Communist Party (Majority).

Issuing a press release on Wednesday, the committee demanded the immediate and unconditional release of both arrested leaders.

According to the statement issued by CP Gajurel, Convener of the Joint Struggle Committee, Chairman Rishi Kattel was arrested today around 12 PM from the party office in Tangla, Kirtipur. It is reported that the police took him into custody without reason or an arrest warrant and he is currently being held at the Crime Investigation Bureau in Teku. Similarly, Dharmendra Bastola, General Secretary of the CPN (Majority), was arrested yesterday from the Khichapokhari area of Kathmandu.

The Joint Struggle Committee, formed by the alliance of four parties and revolutionary forces, has adopted a policy of boycotting the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The committee asserts that the government arrested the leaders out of retaliation due to this boycott policy. The statement labeled the government led by Sushila Karki as a 'puppet' and called this arrest a fascist move.

The statement read, 'This arrest is a fascist step that deprives Nepali citizens of the fundamental right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution.'