Janakpurdham, December 27

Agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front cadres clashed with police personnel when the former staged a rally protesting yesterday’s attack on Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato in Biratnagar’s Jogbani Border Point, in Janakpur, today.

As many as five police personnel and more than two dozen protesters were injured in the incident.

To protest the assault on Mahato, UDMF cadres had descended on the street from early morning in Janakpur.

The clash had lasted for five hours at Ramchowk in Janakpur. Police had fired 13 rounds of tear gas shells and blank fire to bring the situation under control.

Dhanusha SP Ramdutta Joshi said the agitators had pelted stones and two petrol bombs at police personnel. Five police personnel including one ASI were hurt in the incident.

Sadbhawana Party Dhanusha Chair Sanjay Singh said as many as 25 agitators were injured in the police attack.

Demonstrators set fire to the District Education Office and Tourism Office. They also vandalised the offices of drinking water and cottage industry. At the call of UDMF, all educational institutes and market places pulled down their shutters.

Similarly, UDMF cadres and leaders picketed Rautahat DAO from early morning and staged a rally in Gaur.

Sadbhawana party central member Yogendra Yadav said that they had hit the street to protest the police’ attack on Sadbhawana party Chair Mahato at Jogbani customs point yesterday. Police had to escort Rautahat CDO Narhari Baral to his office due to the obstruction of agitators.

Likewise, UDMF enforced the closure of Birgunj bazaar from early morning.

UDMF cadres and agitators burned tyres at various places including Ghantaghar, Maisthan, Mahabir Math, Adarshanagar and shouted slogans against the government in Birgunj.

Likewise, UDMF cadres burned the vehicle owned by Kantipur National Daily at Bara’s Parwanipur today morning. The cadres had poured petrol on the vehicle and set it ablaze.

The vehicle was returning to Kathmandu after delivering the papers in Birgunj. Local UDMF leaders said they had burned the vehicle as Kantipur had been giving coverage to fake news related to Madhes agitation for the past few days.