Thursday, January 26 2006 17:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Over 200 people were arrested and dozens injured today (Jan 26,2006) as police baton-charged and opened fire on protestors shouting anti-King slogans in Nepal where a general strike called by a pro-democracy alliance against next month's municipal polls paralysed life shutting down businesses and educational institutes.

In Sarlahi district, police intervened during a rally to protest the February 8 municipal polls and arrested 30 activists, including Nepali Congress leader and former minister Ramhari Joshi. Twelve people were also injured when police baton-charged the demonstrators, according to Nepali Congress (NC) sources.

Police opened fire on protestors in Pokhara, a famous tourist spot in western Nepal, in which one person received bullet injuries. Dozens more received minor injuries when police baton-charged the activists there.

Fortyfive activists, including Nepali Congress Gorkha district President Chin Kaji Shrestha, were arrested from Gorkha, party sources said.

In Birgunj, police rounded up 30 people as a group of protestors allegedly vandalised the district Election Commission's Office and called on people to boycott the municipal polls.

Four dozen activists were arrested from Bhairahawa and half a dozen, including Nepali Congress central member Gopal Pahadi, from Shankhuwasabha.

Six people were rounded up during a peaceful demonstration in Banke district while another six were held in Doti, party sources said.