At least 28 people have been arrested in Nepal following a second day of opposition-led protests, Home Minister Madhav Ghimire has told the BBC. He said that they are being held either for attempting to enforce a transport strike on Tuesday or for being involved in violent activities. On Monday night about 40 bus passengers narrowly escaped being burnt to death. Their vehicle was set on fire by protesters opposed to elections next week, local media reported. Several other buses throughout the country were attacked throughout Tuesday. The attacks were all staged by people opposed to the vote on 19 November, authorities say. The opposition has denied it is responsible for all the attacks.
An alliance of 33 opposition parties led by a splinter Maoist group ordered a nine-day transport strike after enforcing a general strike on Monday. The splinter group is an offshoot from the main Maoist party which is expected to be one of the main contenders in the vote.
The breakaway Maoist faction and a variety of smaller parties want an interim government that was established to oversee the vote to be immediately disbanded.
They want a new government – with representation from all the political parties – to be formed that can conduct elections at a later date.
Full Article: BBC News – Nepal opposition supporters held in pre-poll violence.
