Lamki (Kailali), Feb 17:

Over 15 students were injured when police used force to disperse students who were agitating in front of the Area Police Office, Lamki, demanding action against the persons who misbehaved with Purna Bahadur Baduwal, principal of Janasewa High School.

Stating that the police delayed to arrest the accused, students of Baliya village development committee in Kailali demonstrated in Lamki bazaar from early in the morning today. After the demonstration, the students had converged to a sit-in in front of the Area Police Office.

Clash between the students and the police began at 11 am. Indra Kunwar and Dan Singh Khatri of Lamki Multiple Campus and Ranga Bhattarai of Kalika Higher Secondary School sustained seriously injuries in police action. The trio has been referred to Nepalgunj for treatment.

Likewise eighth-graders at Jana Sewa High School — Sadhana Karki and Rekha Rokaya — fell unconscious after the police fired tear gas shells to disperse the students’ crowd.

Chief of Area Police Office, Tikapur, Prem Bahadur Khadka, ASI Tara Adhikary and head constable Kalyan Singh Kunwar were also injured in the clash.

Assistant principal Amar Rawal and teacher Lokraj Panthi at Rastriya Higher Secondary School were also injured.

“Police called me for talks. But what I received was baton on my head,” injured Rawal said.

The situation became tense after the police charged batons.