Security officials say that illegal activities were prevented even though the Nepal Police, the Nepal Army, the Armed Police Force, and the Election Police were mobilized specifically for the election.
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Compared to previous years, this year, the hilly districts have celebrated the festival of Holi peacefully.
The police headquarters has stated that the Holi festival was celebrated peacefully. Central Police Spokesperson Abhinarayan Kafle informed that there were no incidents such as arrests, fights, coercion, accidents, violations of traffic rules, violations of laws and unwanted activities. He said that the general public celebrated the festival in a very normal manner. ‘The election code of conduct is in effect.’ Due to the election, the sale and transportation of alcohol was also prohibited,’ Kafle said, ‘The district administration offices were also not allowing gatherings to play Holi.’ He said that there were no incidents related to Holi in the hilly districts across the country, including the Kathmandu Valley. ‘Holi in the hilly areas was normal and peaceful. No one was arrested.’ There were no accidents or traffic rule violations,' said police spokesperson Kafle.
Since it was a public holiday, the general public had gathered with friends and relatives and celebrated Holi at various places. This time, keeping in mind the election security, the local administration had requested not to hold formal programs. Similarly, musical programs were also banned in public places. Police said that general public gathered to play Holi at Basantapur and Patan Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley. Even foreign tourists enjoyed Holi there.
Kathmandu Police spokesperson SP Pawan Kumar Bhattarai said that this year's Holi was celebrated differently than previous years. 'It may be the eve of the election. It is not like last year's Holi,' he said, 'Sale, distribution, and transportation of alcohol are also banned.' Not a single person should be taken into custody in Kathmandu and vehicles should not be held.' Security officials say that illegal activities have not been carried out due to the mobilization of Nepal Police, Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Election Police targeting the elections.
More than 350,000 people have left Kathmandu Valley for the elections. Traffic police have stated that voters are continuing to head to their constituencies. SP Bhattarai said that there were no accidents even though permission was not given for Holi-targeted programs and the sale of alcohol was banned. 'Voters have left Kathmandu to vote. There was no permission or approval for Holi-targeted programs,' he said. 'There were no cases of vehicle accidents, fights, or drunk driving.'
The election silence period is starting from midnight on Monday. After that, election campaigning and soliciting votes have been banned until the voting is over on Thursday, March 21.
Lalitpur Police Spokesperson Gautam Mishra also said that the Holi festival ended peacefully. ‘As it was the last day of election campaigning, many candidates and workers seemed to be more busy with election work than Holi. Many have already left the valley for the elections,’ he said, ‘No untoward activity was found during Holi.’ Kathmandu Valley Police has stated that no complaints or grievances related to Holi have been received.
During the Holi festival that fell on 29 Falgun last year, the police had taken into custody 24 people from Kathmandu who were involved in disorderly activities. One and a half hundred vehicles were held. The police had taken into custody vehicles and drivers who were driving drunk and careless, vehicles with changed appearance, and vehicles that were being driven at high speed.
On 11 Chaitra 2080, 102 people were arrested from across the country during Holi. Police had taken into custody those who were forcibly applying paint, causing fights under the influence of alcohol, and making noise in public places. At that time, police statistics show that 775 vehicles were held for drunk driving and violating traffic rules. In the Kathmandu Valley alone, 650 motorcycles/scooters were held. Holi is being celebrated in the Terai/Madhes region on Tuesday.
