DHANKUTA UNDER CURFEW

On 3 November Nepalese authorities placed the eastern town of Dhankuta under curfew due to clashes between supporters of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist, CPN-UML) and the United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist, CPN-M). The Maoists seized control of the municipal offices and installed a new mayor as part of a “parallel government.” Maoist supporters set fire to several motorcycles near the Dhankuta bazaar. Disruptions on the Dharan-Dhankuta highway have stranded hundreds of bus passengers. The government has deployed additional security officers to the area.