RAJBIRAJ: Rakesh Lama of Nigjadh-8 was critically injured when the agitating conflict-hit ex-securitymen put his vehicle on fire for defying their bandh on Friday. Lama was sleeping in the truck, while the handyman was driving it when the bandh enforcers torched the loaded vehicle at Rupnagar in Saptari. They set the truck ablaze at around 3 on Friday morning. The vandals also doused petrol on the driver before setting him afire. The truck, which was coming from Janakpur, was heading to Dharan. The arson destroyed the goods in the vehicle, said the police.

Lama has been referred to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan by Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital in Rajbiraj. The ex-security personnel, who had deserted security forces during the Maoist insurgency, called the indefinite bandh on Friday. They are demanding their reinstatement to service. — HNS