DOTI: Around three dozen people sustained injuries on Friday after a clash broke out between police and protesters in Silgadhi, Doti.

The clash erupted after protesters, staging a corner meet in front of the District Administration Office in protest of the government's decision to name Dhangadhi as temporary capital of Province 7, hurled stones at security personnel outside the office premises.

Police fired more than a dozen rounds of tear gas injuring two dozen protesters including CPN-UML Doti Chair Chakra Malla. The protesters accused police of firing tear gas while they were staging a peaceful protest.

However police have downplayed the accusations. According to Senior Superintendent of Police, Madhusudan Luitel, police resorted to firing tear gas in self defence after protesters pelted stones at police personnel. “Two of our personnel were seriously injured and are undergoing treatment at the hospital,” Luitel said, “few others have sustained minor injuries.”

The protesters further accused police of firing at residential area and assaulting innocent bystanders. However, Luitel said that the protestors hid behind the houses and hurled stones forcing the police to retaliate.

The situation has returned to normalcy after a series of clashes.