Police in Nepal on Sunday arrested 223 members of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist during a nationwide strike called to press the government to provide food subsidies. A police spokesperson said those arrested were attempting to “block roads and vandalise vehicles” during the strike, AFP reported.

Most public vehicles, educational institutions and factories remained closed in the capital city of Kathmandu because of the strike, according to The Times of India. A party spokesperson said the aim of its protest was to “pressure the government” to make essential items “affordable for the public”. “The government should provide 50% subsidy on these items,” said KB Biswokarma. At least three vehicles were reportedly vandalised during the strike. However, no casualties were reported by police officials.

The country’s inflation rate rose to 12% last year after factors such as a massive earthquake in April 2015 and a five-month-long blockade on the country’s border with India led to shortages of food items and fuel in the country. The CPN-M is a splinter group of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist. It was formed after a faction of the UCPN-M split from the party owing to differences between their leaders.