Nepalese police arrested several hundred people in the capital Kathmandu, Saturday, for alleged offences under the pretext of the local Holi festival, known as the "Festival of Colours.", dpa reported.
Police confirmed they had arrested 957 from the capital Kathmandu alone for offences ranging from forcing colours on passersby and for reckless driving.
Holi, is a festival marked in Nepal and India at the start of Spring. People throw colours and coloured water at each other during the festival, while they also eat sweets made out of hemp, which causes intoxication.
Police officer Khadga Bahadur Acharya confirmed that out of the 957 arrested, 511 were under 16 years of age and were later released.
Accidents due to alcohol or drugs are common during the festival. Police had beefed up security in anticipation of the event and conducted several arrests ahead of the festival.
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