Itahari, February 9:

Eleven vehicles were vandalised and a man thrashed in Sunsari district on the third day of the Tarai bandh called by Tharu Kalyankari Sabha today.

The agitators vandalised 11 vehicles — including an ambulance operated by Itahari chapter of Nepal Red Cross Society and a motorbike in Itahari, two microbuses in Duhabi and two motorbikes each in Jhumka and Khanar — on the charge of defying the bandh , the Sunsari District Police Office said.

Major thoroughfares of the district, including Itahari, Khanar, Duhabi, Jhumka and Hasposa, wore a deserted look and vehicles stayed off the road due to the bandh. Locals were terrified after the agitators took to the streets wielding domestic weapons like swords and khukuris.

The protesters thrashed Arjun BK, 26, of Itahari-5, in front of Ganesh Petrol Pump with bamboo sticks, accusing him of abusing them. Critically injured BK was rushed to Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences after preliminary treatment in Itahari, the police said.

Meanwhile, admitting their mistakes during today’s protest, the agitators said that they would bear the expenses of BK’s treatment.

“Admitting their mistake, the agitators have assured us of compensation for the damage in ambulance,” the Itahari Red Cross said.