BIRGUNJ/GAUR: Several people, including security personnel and protesters, were injured in sporadic clashes between the security personnel and the agitating cadres and supporters of United Democratic Madhesi Front in Birgunj and Gaur on Saturday. The district headquarters of Parsa and Rautahat remained tense throughout the day due to the clashes. The protesters threw petrol bombs at the security personnel in Birgunj. They repeatedly clashed at Ghantaghar and Maisthan areas. The cadres and supporters of the Madhesi parties started pelting stones at the security personnel at Ghantaghar this afternoon after the later detained some protesters who vandalised a motorcycle. One policeman, identified as Ajit Pandey, was injured in the incident, the District Police Office, Parsa, said. Agitators vandalised another motorcycle in Panitanki area also. Altogether seven protesters were detained from Parsa today. In Gaur of Rautahat district, at least 20 people -- 11 security personnel and nine protesters-- were injured in clashes. The two sides clashed till this evening. Tension ran high in the Rautahat district headquarters throughout the day as security personnel used force in a bid to disperse the protesters who obstructed the road at Kabir Chok, which lies along the Chandranigahapur road section that links Gaur with the East-West Highway. Security personnel fired at least eight rounds of bullets in air and lobbed 20 tear gas shells to disperse the protester. The District Police Office, Rautahat claimed that the security personnel had to use force as the protesters started pelting stones at them. Police had arrested Lalan Yadav, leader of student wing of the Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal, from Kabir Chok. However, he was released in the evening. Meanwhile, the protesters vandalised a fire truck that was heading to Sabgadha to contain fire. Three firefighters were injured in the incident. (Ram Sarraf reported from Birgunj, Parsa, and Prabhat Kumar Jha from Gaur, Rautahat)