Police arrested seven cadres of the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoist in connection with the attacks at Ncell’s base stations in several districts. Four Maoist cadres were held for their alleged involvement in arson at the Ncell base stations in Dang. Yamlal Pujali, Purna Khanal, Jwala Khatiwada, and Bhim Bahadur BK were detained for investigation, said police. Four base stations belonging to the private telecom service provider were torched in the district in the past two days. Security personnel arrested two of Chand’s supporters in Myagdi district. Maoist district leaders Lalu Kisan and Padam Pun were held for investigation.

An unidentified group torched Ncell’s tower at Beni-4 on Saturday evening. In Dhankuta, a member of the Maoist party, Mohan Ojha, was detained on the same charge. In the wake of intensified attacks by the CPN Maoist on the Ncell property, the government has heightened security in specific areas in the districts. Deputy Inspector General of Nepal Police Madhav Joshi said they have instructed local police units to guard the telephone towers. “Each district will deploy the required number of personnel as per the perceived threat,” said Joshi.