Surkhet, April 27 :

Two women fainted and dozens were injured today when police rained batons and fired tear gas shells on women, who had come to gherao the DDC office during its 15th district council.

The women had gathered to protest the unrestricted sale of liquor in the district.

Enraged women pelted stones at the police force assembled at the district police office. At least six policemen, including deputy superintendent of police, Mohan Raj Joshi, were injured in the stone-pelting.

Sources said that the women’s groups from Narayan municipality and adjoining areas had gone to the DDC to protest the unrestricted sale of liquor.

The situation took an ugly turn when police intervened and the angry women took to the warpath.

Chandra Sunar from Dailekh’s Lakuri and Indra Thapa from Dailekh Municipality ward number 2 passed out in course of the clash. Ten women, including Nanda Jaisi, Manasara Jaisi, Som Bahadur Thapa, Nagendra Thapa, Hastu Thapa and Krishna Thapa, were injured.

Journalists Janak Neupane and Bishnu Sharma were also injured when stones hit them, while vice chairperson of the Jajarkot-based Ama Samuha Gyanu Thapa had her rib broken.

After the incident, the irate group went to the district police office and chanted slogans for about two hours. The protesting women demanded that ornaments lost by women during the clash be returned, medical treatment provided to the injured and DSP Joshi apologise for the incident.

Showing wounds at his chest and face, DSP at Dailekh Joshi said six policemen, including himself, were injured. LDO Vishwa Raj Dotel has expressed regret over the incident.