Morang/Rautahat, January 22

Following the death of three persons at Morang’s Rangeli and Dainia yesterday, agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front intensified its protest in the southern plains today.

UDMF cadres and agitators staged rallies in Morang’s Katahari, Naya Bazaar, Rangeli and Dainia areas from early morning. They disrupted vehicular movement and closed market places in Dainia and Rangeli.

UDMF cadres vandalised two motorbikes in Rangeli bazaar. They also vandalised an under construction APF Border Security Post at Chopraha, Rangeli Municipality-3.

Morang SP Tarini Prasad Lamsal said a large number of security personnel had been mobilised to maintain security in the district.

Three persons — Draupaidevi Chaudhary, Mahadev Rishidev and Shibu Majhi —were killed in police firing when the UDMF cadres clashed with police personnel at Rangeli and Dainia. UDMF cadres were hell-bent on disrupting the Madhes awareness programme organised by CPN-UML’s youth wing Youth Association Nepal yesterday.

Sadbhawana party central member Dilip Dhadewa and leader Santosh Meheta were injured when they clashed with police at Biratnagar’s Jalajala Mode. Dhadewa is being treated at India’s Siliguri and Meheta is undergoing treatment at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan. YAN cadre Manoj Singh Rai was attacked by UDMF cadres. Rai, who has received critical injuries to his head, is undergoing treatment in Neuro Hospital Biratnagar.

Federal Socialist Forum Nepal Morang Chairman Raj Kumar Yadav said UDMF had intensified the agitation from early morning in protest against the killing of three persons by the police in yesterday’s peaceful agitation. Yadav said that they would continue their agitation.

UDMF cadres also staged rallies in Birgunj and enforced market shutdown. They descended on the streets from early morning, burnt tyres at Ghantaghar, Birta, Maisthan, Pratimachowk and Miteri Bridge in Birgunj. A minor clash broke out between the UDMF cadres and police personnel at Ghantaghar. Local Dinesh Sah was injured after he was hit with stone by agitators. Agitators vandalised one pick up van at Motisar-3. The agitators damaged the windowpanes of Nepal Telecom. They also set ablaze a Nepal Telecom’s circuit box in Ghantaghar.

Agitators staged a rally near Rautahat DAO in Gaur from early morning. They burned tyres, enforced closure of transport services and closed market places.

The UDMF cadres also pelted stones at CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal’s house in Gaur. Meanwhile, UDMF cadres threw a petrol bomb at Janaki Police Post in Janakpur at 2:00 pm today. DSP Nakul Pokhrel said agitators had thrown eight petrol bombs at the police post. From early morning, the UDMF cadres had descended on the streets and enforced a market shutdown.