JANAKPURDHAM: Tension ran high in southern part of Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City in Dhanusha district on Wednesday as the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front tried to block Nepali Congress central leader Bimalendra Nidhi from visiting his constituency.

On Monday, the UDMF cadres had vandalised the NC leader's house and torched two motorbikes.

District leaders of the UDMF said they had decided to block lawmakers who had signed on the Constitution from entering the district.

Nidhi, however, was escorted to his destination by a dozens-strong police team.

The agitating alliance had planned to obstruct Nidhi at the airport. They could not do so as police stopped them around two kilometres away.

After the police obstruction, they decided to stage a sit-in at local Shyam Chok.

Protesting leaders including Nepal Sadbhawana Party's Raman Singh and Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Democratic's Pramod Yadav greeted the lawmaker with black flags at the sit-in venue.

Police also engaged in a clash with protesters while dispersing them.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Nepali Congress cadres had gathered at the airport with their party flag to welcome the leader.

It was perhaps the first demonstration by the party after beginning of protests in the Madhes region around five months ago.

Addressing the cadres, Nidhi introduced his party as a 'friend of Madhes' and assured that he would play a constructive role to resolve the ongoing political crisis in the region after completion of the party's 13th national general convention next month.

He also claimed that leaders of the Madhesi parties could not solve the problem as they continued changing their demands.

Their activities have instead weakened the concerns and interests of the region, according to the leader.