Birgunj/Rautahat, December 19

With the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front’s decision to intensify its agitation, tension has resurfaced in the districts of the Tarai.

Clashes broke out between UDMF cadres and police personnel at various places of Parsa headquarters

Birgunj and Rautahat headquarters Guar today.

UDMF cadres clashed with police personnel frequently in Ghantaghar and Maisthan Chowk of Birgunj. The border city remained tense throughout the day today due to frequent clashes.

UDMF cadres pelted stones at police personnel after police arrested seven agitators for vandalising a

motorbike in Ghantaghar. SP Rajubabu Shrestha said that Constable

Ajit Pandey was injured in the protesters’ attack.

UDMF Parsa Coordinator Purusottam Jha accused police of thrashing agitators, who were taken under control. Jha alleged that police had hit Amit Kumar Jayaswal on the head.

Police had fired two rounds of tear gas shells to contain the situation.

Protesters had hurled two petrol bombs targeting police personnel. No casualty, however, was reported on either side.

Journalist Suresh Bidari’s camera was broken when stones pelted by the agitators hit it. The agitators vandalised a motorbike near Panitanki.

Similarly, a clash broke out between police personnel and students aligned with the agitating UDMF at Rautahat headquarters Gaur.

The clash erupted when police tried to remove agitators who were burning tyres to block the highway.

Subsequent clashes gripped Gaur throughout the day today.

The situation turned ugly after police arrested Federal Socialist Student Forum Nepal’s central member Lalan Yadav from Kabir Chowk in Gaur.

Police fired 20 rounds of tear gas shells and opened eight rounds of blank fire to bring the situation under control.

DSP Rajendra Pokhrel said police was forced to open fire after agitators started pelting stones at police personnel. Pokhrel said that Lalan Yadav would be freed by today evening.

As many as 11 police personnel and nine agitators received minor injury in clashes that erupted throughout the day.

Agitators vandalised a fire-fighter from Gaur Municipality, which was on its way to douse a fire at Sabgadha. Three staffers of the fire engine were hurt in the incident.

Meanwhile, UDMF cadres staged a demonstration in front of Rani Customs Office, Biratnagar, from early morning today.