HETAUDA: At least 30 persons were injured when police charged Maoist cadres involved in showing black flags to Energy Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat with batons.

The minister had come here to lay the foundation stone of 14-megawatt Kulekhani Third Hydel Project today. Police took action against the protesters when they chanted slogans and showed black flags prior to the minister's address.

The UCPN-Maoist claimed that at least 25 cadres, including Maoist CA members Pralhad Lamichhane and Prem Bahadur Pulami Chhintu, party district secretary Indra Bahadur Pariyar, were injured in the clash.

While, police inspector Madhu Kumar Thapa and three other personnel were injured, according to Makwanpur SP Keshariraj Ghimire.

Speaking at the function, Mahat said the Maoist movement was against people, parliament and constitution. "The unruly behaviour of the UCPN-Maoist can never be for the welfare of the country, its people and even the Maoists," he said, adding the former rebels had obstructed development works in the country by disrupting the parliament.