Kathmandu, March 14 -- Until a few years ago, during Fagu Purnima (Holi), people used to throw colours and balloons filled with dirty water on others without their consent. Women would be the main target, so they would refrain from going to colleges and offices during days before the festival.

It used to be challenging for the police to contain the unruly groups roaming around the cities violating traffic rules and brawling with other groups they encountered in the streets.

However, such practices have drastically subsided in recent years. This year, even on the day of the Holi, no such incidents were observed, according to police officials.

The Holi festival is believed to officially start from the day of Falgun Shukla Asthami which f...