KATHMANDU — Police in Nepal arrested former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli early Saturday over the deaths of dozens of people during violent protests in September that toppled the government and resulted in new elections. Authorities arrested Oli at his residence on the outskirts of Kathmandu.

Authorities also arrested Ramesh Lekhak, the former home minister. Lekhak has been accused of ordering authorities to fire on protesters. Home Minister Sudan Gurung announced the arrests on social media.

"No one is above the law. We have taken former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak under control," Gurung wrote. "This is not revenge against anyone, it is just the beginning of justice."

Several trucks of police officers in riot gear conducted the arrests at the men's homes before taking them to the Kathmandu District Police office. A government commission recommended punishment of up to 10 years in prison for Oli, Lekhak and the chief of police at the time of the protests.

Youth-led protests against corruption and poor governance on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 left 76 people dead and more than 2,300 injured. Protesters burned down the offices of the prime minister and the president, police stations and the homes of top politicians, forcing those politicians to flee on army helicopters.

The demonstrations forced the Sept. 12 appointment of Sushila Karki as prime minister. Karki is a retired Supreme Court judge who served during the transition leading up to the election.

The election held earlier this month was the first in Nepal since the youth-led protests on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9. A new government headed by rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah took office a day before the arrests after his Rastriya Swatantra Party won parliamentary elections earlier this month.

Shah and Gurung have promised justice for people killed and wounded in the protests.