Kathmandu: Nepalese students agitating against the alleged overnight detention of a left-wing leader in New Delhi reportedly burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, evoking a strong reaction from India.

"It is learnt that a small group of people in Kathmandu reportedly burnt an effigy of the Prime Minister of India and also shouted anti-India slogans. If these reports were true this is the most unfortunate incident, highly objectionable in character," a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said.

A group of students, led by Rajendra Rai, president of All India National Free Students Union (AINFSU), the student wing of the left party, Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-UML), reportedly burnt an effigy of Vajpayee in front of their central office in Kathmandu yesterday (Jan 01, 2004).

The students also raised anti-India slogans. The incident coincided with the joint protest rally of the student organisations affiliated to the five major parties opposing the royal takeover.

The Indian Embassy also expressed hope that action would be taken against those responsible for the "outrageous action" of showing "disrespect to the leader of a friendly neighbour".

CPN-UML standing committee member Ishwor Pokharel was allegedly detained overnight by security officials at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on December 29, on his way back to Kathmandu and interrogated for possible contacts with Maoists hiding in India.