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Nepalese policemen detain the human right activists during a protest against dissolution of parliament in Kathmandu, Nepal
NEPAL’S President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has dissolved parliament following a request by Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli.
The decision follows months of tension between Mr Oli, co-chairman of the Nepal Communist Party, and his fellow co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, better known by his nom de guerre Prachanda.
The party was formed three years ago from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), which they respectively led.
Chinese envoy to Nepal Hou Yanqi has reportedly held meetings since April trying to prevent the two parties splitting.
Beijing considers Nepal’s China-friendly government important given the breakdown in relations with India over disputed Himalayan territories.
Nepalese observers said Mr Oli had opted to dissolve parliament because he feared being ousted by his own party.
Communist Party central committee member Bishnu Rijal said: “The prime minister has lost the majority in the parliamentary party, central committee and the secretariat of the party.”
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