Rautahat, December 6

At least three activists of Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal sustained critical injuries when they were assaulted by the Nepali Congress cadres at Sigarban of Gadhimai Municipality in Rautahat yesterday night.

NC’s Gadhimai Municipality Ward No 6 Chair Ram Sihasan Yadav and around one dozen NC activists attacked RJP-N

leader Bishwombhar Ray Yadav in a shop.

Bishwombhar’s brother Nandu Yadav and cousin Rajib Ray Yadav also were beaten black and blue when they tried to rescue him. All the three injured are receiving treatment in Birgunj after minor treatment at District Hospital Gaur.

Bishwombhar’s his left leg has been fractured and he has suffered cracks on the ribs. He is undergoing treatment at Birgunj-based Apollo Hospital while the two others are being treated at Narayani Sub regional Hospital, said Bal Kishor Yadav, a kin.

According to the victim’s family, NC and RJP-N supporters clashed over the issue of throwing a feast for voters yesterday morning. Security personnel didn’t obstruct NC leaders and activists when they were carrying chickens to organise a feast for their supporters, but they were obstructed by security personnel when they were taking fish for the same purpose. “NC activists attacked us over the same issue at night,” said Yadav.

Security personnel arrested NC activists Lal Babu Yadav, Raja Ray Yadav and Jawahar Prasad Yadav for their alleged involvement in the attack, but released them due to political pressure at around 12:30 pm.

Meanwhile, Rautahat Police Chief SP Yagya Binod Pokhrel said it was a minor clash and a person had sustained minor injuries. “The incident was exaggerated to politicise it,” said SP Pokhrel.