Kathmandu, April 8:

The curfew that was clamped in Dhadingbesi from 10 am today after scuffle between NC and UML cadres was lifted after four hours following a pact between the two sides not to flare up the incident.

The scuffle began last night after NC activists thrashed UML cadres in Dhola VDC. NC cadres also thrashed UML activists Ishwor Khatiwoda, vandalised his motorcycle and UML’s party office in Dhadingbesi this morning.

Meanwhile, YCL cadres attacked Siring Gyalpo Punel, president of the Manang unit of the National Election Observation Committee, at his house in Theche last night. Punel was airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment.

Three RPP activists including party’s candidate from Jajarkot-1 Govinda Bikram Shah and one security man were injured in a brawl between RPP and YCL cadres in Jajarkot last night. Security personnel had to open five rounds of fire in the air to disperse the mob.

In Tanahun, YCL cadres thrashed six NC cadre in Rupakot-3 this morning. Police said extra security men have been mobilised to arrest the attackers. The Maoists however said they did not attack the NC cadres.

In Nawalparasi, eight NC men were injured when Maoists attacked them in Kotathar VDC this morning. A group of 50 Maoists attacked the NC cadres who were in the party’s office, said NC leader Krishna Chandra Nepali.

Additional police force has been sent for Kotathar and an all-party meeting has been called to settle the row, CDO Govinda Khanal said. Maoists said four Maoist cadres were hurt in the incident.

Meanwhile, NC’s Arghak-hanchi unit said over 30 NC activists were hurt last night when Maoists attacked them in Balkot VDC. Party’s constituency no 2 candidate Man Bahadur Bishwokarma managed to evade the attack. The condition of four injured is reportedly critical, police said.

Meanwhile, over 50 NC activists have gone out of contact after Maoists attacked them in Rukum’s Kotjahari, the NC said.

In Panchthar, the UML claimed that YCL cadres attacked and injured two UML cadres today. However, Maoist district member Laxmi Neupane said YCL cadres thrashed them after the UML cadres were found distributing cash to Maoist cadres. Likewise, cadres of the Upper Kirat Limbuwan Rastriya Munch abducted Janamukti Party’s candidate for PR system Bhagirath Limbu today.

In Khotang, Maoists abducted two NC activists from Chisapani VDC this evening, police said. Meanwhile, a team of around 200 Maoists have taken hostage to NC candidate from Khotang-2 Shiva Kumar Basnet at Jaleshwori Primary School in Kaule.

In Kapilvastu, Maoist and UML cadres jointly seized eight activists of the Tarai Madhes Democratic Party including its PR poll candidate Sashi Singh and handed them over to the police after the latter were found campaigning during the silent period. The UML and Maoist cadres also seized a jeep and a motorcycle from TMDP cadres.

In Bihibare of Sankhusabha, Maoists threatened three UML activists of “physical elimination” if they did not vote for their party candidate. Maoists however denied the charge.

(With inputs from district correspondents)

Multiple blasts rock Rautahat

Rautahat: Different groups on Tuesday exploded bombs in different parts of the district with an aim to scuttle the April 10 polls.

A gang hurled a bomb at Sanjaya Singh of Banharaha VDC-4, a cadre of the TMDP, leaving him seriously injured, police said.

In another incident, the Tarai Army exploded three bombs at Balchanpur, Samanpur and Bisunpurwa Manpur VDC. Bombs also went off at Sakhuhawa Chowk and Sundarpur Tole in Sangrampur.

A report from Dhanusha said JTMM-J abducted Raj Kumar Kapad, a teacher deputed for poll duty in Nathpatti, on Tuesday.

In Siraha, a gang blasted two bombs at the house of Dukhi Mahato, candidate of CPN (Unified Marxists) from Siraha-6, at Bishnupur-7 on Monday night. His house was destroyed and he was seriously injured in the blast. — HNS