Kathmandu: Amid protests by Maoists over the alleged import of arms from India, the Nepal government has dismissed the charge, saying New Delhi had only donated anti-riot gear to the Himalayan country ahead of the polls.

"We have not imported arms from India recently.... The Maoists hyped the normal issue when the government had just imported some logistics related to controlling riots from India," Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ramchandra Poudyal said.

The Maoists torched two police posts at Golpark and Chauraha and a jeep at Kalikanagar in Butawal on Monday to protest against the alleged supply of weapons by India.

They blocked roads in Kathmandu yesterday for an hour and claimed the imported weapons were being brought to the capital. They also claimed to have seized two weapon-loaded trucks.

However, Nepal Police said the trucks contained riot controlling equipment donated by India ahead of the April 10 Constituent Assembly polls as per an agreement.

The consignment include tear gas shells, riot gear, communication equipments and helmets meant for maintaining security during election, police spokesman Sushil Barsingh Thapa said.

India too has clarified that it has supplied riot gear to Nepal on the request of its government. "The supplies consists of items requested by the Armed Police Force in the context of their responsibility for augmenting security for the forthcoming constituent assembly polls," an Indian Embassy staffer said.

Nepali Congress has condemned the Maoist actions saying it will only create disturbance and help elements who want to disrupt the poll.
Source : PTI