Hundreds held during Holi celebrations

THT ONLINE

KATHMANDU: Police have taken under control over 200 people involved in unruly behaviours and violent activities during Holi celebrations from various places in the capital on Saturday.

The arrested include those throwing water balloons at passers-by and forcibly smearing colours on them. Likewise, dozens have also been held for drunk driving and violating traffic rules, police said.

Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, is being celebrated all across the hilly region including the Kathmandu Valley on Saturday, with people smearing colors and spraying colored water on one another.

Also called Fagu, this day is being marked with making a lot of fun and people at their home and at neighborhoods throwing water balloons called lola at one another and smearing colors.

It is widely believed that colours people play with during the festivity take away all their sorrows and make their life as bright and jovial as colours. On this occasion, people also make merry by having drinks laced with bhang.

The festivity will be observed in the Terai region on Sunday. All government offices and schools remain closed on this occasion. Meanwhile, the government has taken special security measures to prevent any untoward incidents during the celebration of Holi.

The UCPN-Maoist, issuing a press statement, has wished that the festival might bring peace to the lives of all Nepali people.

“The Holi, this year, may inspire all Nepalis to stay united for peace, constitution and independence,” the statement read.