RUPANDEHI: In a violent showdown today in Rupandehi, the Unified CPN-Maoist cadres vandalised a vehicle in which Minister for Industries Mahendra Yadav was journeying between Kapilvastu and Butwal to inaugurate a function. Minister Yadav was due to inaugurate the 29th annual general meeting of Rupandehi Chambers of Commerce and Industries.

A group of frenzied UCPN-Maoist workers pelted stones, targeting the car, in which Minister Yadav was speeding along, police said.

The Maoists, who have hitherto been showing black flags as part of their street-cum-parliament agitation to restore what they described as 'civilian supremacy', have finally resorted to violent form of protests, including the stoning of ministers, in a bid to get their demands heard.

The attack left the rear glasses of the vehicle Lu 1 Jha 234 belonging to Rupandehi District Development Committee, broken. However, Minister Yadav and other occupants in the car escaped unhurt, the police said.

The security personnel fought a pitch battle with the UCPN-Maoist activists, in their bid to protect the minister, the police added.