NEPAL-LD PASHUPATI 2 LAST

Meanwhile, Vishnu Rijal, spokesperson in the Nepalese
Prime Minister's office, said that "almost two dozen people"
have been arrested in connection with the incident, including
one leader of the group that beat up the priests.

"There are some more yet to be arrested and they will be
tried and they will be taken to the court," he told 'Times
Now' channel.

He said the priests were observing "isolation, fasting
and mediation" as per the tradition. This morning they had to
go around 11 temples surrounding the Pashupati area.

"They were given security and they observed puja in all
these 11 temples," the spokesperson said, adding "they have
been now religiously approved as priests".

The duo were recently brought here by temple authorities,
said Shiva Sharan Raj Bhandari, a temple aide and part of a
three-member selection committee that recommended their names.
PTI