Nawalparasi, February 9 :

One-and-a-half dozen locals were injured when Nepal Army personnel deployed for the security of the Nepal Television’s repeater tower at Daune beat them up on this evening.

According to locals, two inebriated army men and their comrades beat up the villagers. Sixteen-year-old Sanju Gurung, 18-year-old Maya Budhathoki and 20-year-old Pancha Bahadur Gurung are said to be in critical condition.

They are being treated at a health post in Dumkibas. Other locals who suffered minor injuries returned home after first aid.

Locals said they retaliated when the two sozzled army men molested teenage girls.

Ten other army men on duty at the repeater tower joined the two drunk army men in beating up the villagers, locals added.

A team of the Nepal Army led by battalion commander of Arhadman Battalion, Sagar Thapa, has left for Daune after getting news of the incident. Nawalparasi chief district officer (CDO) Govinda Khanal said the incident occurred after the drunk army men molested local teenage girls.