The police were preparing to arrest more members after it was discovered that members of the Prasai group had written a letter stating that they would not be responsible for any vandalism, arson, and looting that occurred while they were disobeying the strike.
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It has been revealed that some members of the Durga Prasai group escaped arrest after an agreement was reached with the National, Nationality, Religion and Culture Protection Campaign in Baluwatar last night.
The police had increased surveillance on the group members after it was learned that they had been sending letters calling for a nationwide shutdown since 7 Mangsir. According to police sources, the letter signed by the campaign's central spokesperson Madhav Kalpit and organization secretary Premdeep Limbu stated that 'if any unknown group violates the shutdown and vandalizes, arson, or loots, the Maha Abhiyan will not be held responsible.'
'We had increased surveillance after they openly said that such vandalism, arson, and looting would occur,' a senior police officer said. 'Our conclusion is that no one should be allowed to create chaos like that.'
However, talks were held with the group members at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar on the initiative of Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal. Before that, members including Nirajan Prasain had gone to the custody of the District Police Complex, Kathmandu and talked to Prasain. Dr. Nirajan is the son of Durga Prasain. Former Attorney General Yubaraj Sangraula also met Prasai in custody.
After learning that he would go to Baluwatar for talks, the police immediately put their plan on hold and continued surveillance. 'If an agreement was not reached, there was a preparation to arrest him,' says a high-ranking officer.
However, at night, it was agreed with Prasai's group that the government would continue to hold discussions, talks and facilitate the issue raised by the Civil Defense Campaign, keeping in mind the peace and security situation. Along with this, it was also agreed to withdraw the Nepal Bandh and indefinite general strike programs scheduled to be held from 7 Mangsir and transform them into peaceful programs.
'It has been agreed to hold the next phase of talks with the leadership of the campaign as soon as possible,' says the point of agreement signed by the Prime Minister's Chief Advisor Ajaybhadra Khanal.
Police officers say that they backed down from arresting Durga Prasai after she said that they would turn the strike into a peaceful event.
Meanwhile, Durga Prasai is being produced before the Supreme Court for a hearing on the writ of habeas corpus. Police had arrested Prasai from her residence in Bhaktapur six days ago on charges of spreading fear in the society by making anarchic statements.
A joint bench of Supreme Court Justices Nahakul Subedi and Shrikant Poudel held a hearing on Prasai's writ of habeas corpus and ordered him to be produced within 24 hours on Friday.
A single bench of Supreme Court Justice Meghraj Pokharel had heard Prasai's writ of habeas corpus and ordered him to be produced in court along with the reasons for his arrest.
