Dhading, April 4 :

• Election official among the injured in Dhading

• Several injured in Sunsari, Kalikot, Dolakha, Baitadi clashes

At least 25 persons, including an election official, were injured when Maoist cadres attacked them at various places in Dhading within the last 24 hours.

The CPN-UML Dhading district committee said the Maoists mercilessly beat up over 20 UML cadres at Thakre VDC-4 while the latter were heading to Barahi Primary School for a poll campaigning today.

UML district committee member Shanker Tamang and local cadres Ishwor Thapa, Bhimsen Tamang and Pramod Regmi were among the injured. All of them have been sent to Kathmandu for treatment.

The Maoists also attacked and injured an assistant polling officer, Ramhari Thapa, deputed by the district election office at Katarpauwa of Goganpani VDC-1 on Thursday evening. A group of Maoists led by a local Maoist cadre Jhilke Thapamagar attacked Thapa when he was returning to the village after receiving his appointment letter from the district election office, the victim said. Thapa has been sent to Kathmandu for treatment.

NC activist Jit Bahadur Tamang was injured when a masked gang attacked him with sharp weapons in Marpak VDC last night.

When asked about the attacks on UML cadres and the election official, Maoists’ Dhading secretary Gyanu Basnet said he was not aware of the incidents. Dhading CDO Drona Pokharel said action would be taken against the culprits no matter with which party they are affiliated.

Meanwhile, a report from Itahari said three NC cadres and three policemen were injured when MJF cadres clashed with NC cadres at Bhantabari of Sunsari last night. The MJF cadres attacked NC cadres accompanying minister without portfolio Sujata Koirala. Three cops were injured when they intervened. NC cadres Mohammed Shahzad, Shaukat Ali and Saddam Mansuri were injured in the attack. Shahzad’s condition is reportedly critical. They are being treated in Dharan.

A report from Kalikot said 12 persons were hurt in the clash between NC and Maoist cadres in Adanku VDC today. Five NC cadres and seven Maoists were hurt when they clashed. The clash ensued after NC cadres reached a Dalit settlement where Maoists were holding a programme. The injured are being treated in Kalikot district hospital.

In Dolakha, 12 persons were hurt when the Maoists and UML cadres clashed in Shalungeshwor VDC today. DSP Surendra Mainali said policemen heading to the incident site was also attacked and police had opened 10 rounds of fire in the air. Police said it was not clear whether Maoists were behind the attack on police men. Police rescued UML candidate from Constituency No 1 Ananda Prasad Pokharel and brought him to the district headquarters. Maoists’ district leader Bishal Khadka said it was the UML cadres who first attacked the YCL cadres.

A report from Baitadi said a policeman was injured during a clash between CPN-UML and Maoist cadres today in Haat VDC of Baitadi district.

Police said UML cadres lodged a complaint at the district police office accusing the Maoists of having abducted four UML cadres. The Maoists waylaid the UML cadres returning after lodging the complaint and a clash ensued. Policeman Janak Raj Awashti, who intervened, sustained minor injuries.

Locals, cops clash; 10 hurt

KAPILVASTU: Ten persons including locals and policemen were injured on Friday after they clashed in district headquarters Taulihawa. The clash ensued after a vehicle of the Nepal Army hit Dilip Singh Chaudhari of Kawanpa-8 in Taulihawa bazaar. Police had to open 40 rounds of fire in the air to quell the mob.

Irate locals blocked the road and pelted stones at the policemen when they tried to clear the road. DSP Mohan Joshi said a few persons were injured in stampede after police opened fire in the air to contain the mob.

Three cops were injured in the incident. The injured persons are being treated in Taulihawa.

Commander of the Shiv Dal Battalion of Nepal Army Col Ganesh Shrestha said Chaudhari, who was injured in the mishap, has been airlifted to Kathmandu on a Nepal Army helicopter for treatment. — HNS