Students close to the faction of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal clashed with police during their protest demonstration at Maitighar in Kathmandu on Sunday afternoon.

The clash erupted when the protestors tried to advance toward Baneshwor from Maitighar, pulling a bullock cart as a satire against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s statement made several years ago that ‘bringing republicanism to Nepal was equal to going to the USA on a bullock cart’.  

Students affiliated to the sister wing of the rival faction were pulling the cart from Thapathali Campus to Maitighar Mandala when they were intervened by police.

The protestors also claimed that the latest demonstration is also a reflection of Oli’s ideology and political thoughts.

As President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved the 275-member lower house on December 20 last year at the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, protests have sparked across the country. Various political parties including the rival faction of the ruling NCP led by Dahal and Nepal  have taken to the streets demanding House restoration.

The government, however, announced fresh elections dates for April 30 and May 10 later this year.