Nepal

Rautahat tense, curfew clamped in Gaur after violence erupts

Rautahat tense, curfew clamped in Gaur after violence erupts

By Himalayan News Service

Demonstrators hurling stones at police during a clash at BP Chowk, in Rautahat on Monday. Photo: THT

Rautahat, August 24 A clash erupted between agitators and police personnel on the tenth day of the indefinite Tarai Madhes bandh called by United Democratic Madhesi Front in Gaur, Rautahat today. More than 60 demonstrators and five security personnel were injured in the clash. The clash broke out when UDMF activists wielding swords and spears vandalised government offices, including Land Revenue Office, Office of Land Survey, District Court and DAO, among others. After the situation went out of control, DAO clamped a curfew from 4:30pm till 5:00am tomorrow. Gaur had turned into a battlefield after agitators defied the curfew and staged demonstration. Some agitators were injured after they received rubber bullets fired by police personnel. All the injured are being treated at District Hospital. Of the injured, Rabindra Mahato has been referred to Birgunj for treatment. Security personnel opened more than 100 rounds of rubber bullets and fired more than 150 tear gas shells. CDO Madan Bhujel said that situation had come under control. The indefinite general strike crippled life across many districts of Tarai. The United Democratic Madhesi Front’s indefinite strike against draft statute and seven-province model shut down schools, colleges, factories, and industries across the plains. Though some market places opened, long route buses stayed off the roads. Similarly, the general strike called by Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities had partial impact in many districts across the country. Life was hit due to the bandh on the second day of the two-day bandh. Schools, colleges, factories and industries pulled down their shutters both in hilly and Tarai districts. Short route vehicles plied on the streets partially. Long route vehicles stayed off the roads in Morang, Jahpa, Sunsari, Tanahun, Kaski and Palpa.