Janakpur, January 20:

Two policemen were injured in a blast at Khairbani VDC of Mahottari district today.

Villagers set off the bomb during a clash with the police. The scuffle erupted when the villagers tried to bar the citizenship certificate distribution team from the village last night.

Police had reached Khesra village of Khairbani VDC, some 25 km west of district headquarters Jaleshwor, after the locals tried to detain the citizenship certificate distribution team in the village.

ASI Bodh Raj Poudel and police head constable Raj Kumar Sapkota were injured in the blast, SP of Mahottari Rana Bahadur Chand said. The injured are undergoing treatment in Janakpur Zonal Hospital. Chand added that the locals also snatched a pistol and communication set from policemen during the scuffle. Police arrested four locals after the incident. However, their names have not yet been made public. The work of citizenship certificate distribution has been disrupted in the VDC after the incident.