Pramod Kumar Shrestha was arrested by police on 9 May in Banke district. His whereabouts are unknown and there are fears for his safety.

Pramod Kumar Shrestha is a resident of Khalanga VDC, Salyan district, who has been living temporarily in Banke district while he is working on a timber contract. He is reported to be a member of the main opposition political party, the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML).

A man believed to be a plainclothes police officer reportedly came to his home and said the police had called him to the area police office in Kohalpur. The man said that inquiries would last a short while and that he would be released afterwards.

When he did not return home that night, relatives went to the area police office. The police said that the army had taken Pramod Kumar Shrestha away for questioning, and would release him later. His relatives then went to the Chisapani army camp and to the office of the Chief District Officer to make further inquiries, but could not get any information.

It is not known why he was arrested. The CPN-UML is not connected with the armed opposition Communist Party of Nepal ((CPN) (Maoist).