KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has condemned the police highhandedness and arrest of NC senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel.

“I condemn the police action,” NC President Deuba said in a statement on Wednesday labelling the arrest an act of totalitarianism.

He has also demanded immediate unconditional release of Poudel, adding “The act is highly condemnable.”

Deuba has said that the arrest is highly offensive while condemning the government’s actions and demanded Poudel’s immediate release.

Deuba has even warned the government to face consequences for this act.

“I strongly protest against this incident which is a sign of the government’s authoritarianism,” he said.

Poudel was arrested in his home district Tanahun on charge of violating prohibitory orders.

Police arrested Poudel from Buldi Khola Bridge that was constructed by Byas Municipality.

He had reached there to inaugurate a bridge over Buldi connecting Talghare and Dumsi in Vyas.

However, some cadres of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) organized a motorcycle rally protesting that Poudel should not inaugurate the bridge.

According to him, they had to take Poudel under control to maintain security situation as some elements seemed to infiltrate.