Nepal's ruling party expels caretaker PM

KATHMANDU, Jan 26 (Reuters): Nepal's caretaker Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli was thrown out of the country's ruling Communist party on Monday, his opponents said, in protest at his abrupt decision in December to dissolve parliament and call for an early general election.

Oli remains in office despite the expulsion.

On Monday, dozens of protesters who marched near Oli's residence to oppose the parliament's dissolution clashed with police who used water cannons and caned some with rattan sticks to break up the anti-Oli rally.

Witnesses said some protesters were injured in the clash but police officials said only "mild force" was used to stop demonstrators from entering the restricted area.