Rajbiraj, August 15

At least 20 persons were injured when two groups clashed in Rajbiraj Municipality of Saptari yesterday.

The clash erupted after a woman’s hand was broken after a city rickshaw she was travelling in overturned and she fell on the road, leading to the injury. The rickshaw was heading towards Padariya tole from nearby market. The injured woman has been identified as Anita Devi of the municipality. Devi’s relatives forced the rickshaw puller to pay Rs 8,000 for her medical expenses. The rickshaw puller and the woman were from the same tole, said police.

The tension ran high after relatives of the rickshaw puller told Devi’s relatives that they should not have demanded money for Devi’s medical expenses as both of them belonged to the same locality. Debate over the issue culminated into a clash between the two parties. Police said 20 people were injured in the clash that occurred at 11:00pm yesterday.

Of the injured, condition of Mohammad Yashin, Mohammad Ajim, Mohammad Ishun, Mohammad Munni, Anita Devi Dhami, Shyam Dhami and Renu Dhami is critical. They have been receiving treatment in BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences while other injured are being treated in Gajendra Narayan Singh Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital, said police.

A police team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhabesh Rimal from Saptari District Police Office was deployed to the area following the incident. Other persons involved in the incident were absconding and police have been searching for them, said police.