DUBAI: Nepal's capital Kathmandu was full of celebration as part of the annual festival of colors, but security was bolstered as a result of violence facing the country in recent years. Nearly 2,700 policemen were deployed in Kathmandu, 300 of them undercover, in an unprecedented move for the festival. The Holi festival is celebrated by Hindus in Nepal and India to celebrate the victory of good over evil, according to mythology. Traditionally, the festival is celebrated by rubbing colors on each other's cheeks and exchanging sweets amid singing and dancing. The festival turned violent in recent years due to hooliganism and excessive consumption of alcohol. Police arrested nearly 150 people in different parts of the city on Tuesday evening. “We arrested them as they were throwing water balloons at others, despite being forbidden to do so,” police officer Ravi Raj Shrestha said. But Nepal citizens told Bikyamasr.com via telephone that they were excited and pleased at the festival and hope violence will not come about. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/kPUCr Tags: Festival, Holi, Nepal, Security Section: Culture, Entertainment, Latest News, South Asia
