Police arrested central joint coordinator of Swatantra Madhes Gathabandhan (CK Raut’s group) from Parasi in Western Nawalparasi on Sunday.

Kailash Mahato was giving a speech at Buddha chowk in district headquarters when police arrested him and 23 other leaders and cadres of the group. While cadres have been released, police has filed cases against Mahato and district coordinator Shree Krishna Yadav.

Police claimed Mahato is the second-tier leader of the Gathabandhan.