The protests halted traffic in Katmandu on Friday.

Muslim activist Faisal Ahmed was fatally shot in a crowded area last month but the attackers managed to escape and police have no suspects. The government has formed a committee to investigate the attack.

Ahmed was known for promoting Islamic education. Muslims are a small minority in Nepal and religion-related attacks are rare.

Meanwhile, Nepalese Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai voiced shock Friday over a bus crash on a remote stretch of mountain road in the east of the country that killed 41 people.

The bus, carrying around 60 people, plunged 300 meters onto a river bank after losing control and swerving off a narrow section of highway 80 km east of Katmandu on Thursday.

“I am shocked by the news of the accident which resulted in huge human loss. I express my deep condolences to the bereaved family members,” the premier said.

“I have already ordered the concerned authorities to find out the cause of the accident and prevent such accidents in future.”

Most of the victims of the accident — believed to be Nepal’s worst for several years — had been returning to Katmandu after celebrating Dashain, the country’s biggest festival.

“The bus careered down the cliff and finally came to rest on the bank of river,” Beni Madhav Gyawali, chief officer of Sindhuli district, told AFP.

Initial reports had suggested the bus actually plunged into the Sunkoshi river, swollen by recent monsoon rains.

Police said the precise cause of the accident was not yet clear but suggested the poor condition of the road, unspecified “technical problems” and the fact that the bus was overladen were likely factors.

Accidents are relatively common in the impoverished Himalayan country’s highways, due to poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving.