Phidim, May 4 :

A group of around 15 persons, identifying themselves as cadres of the Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL), beat up two UML activists who were going abroad for employment and also robbed them of cash and valuables this morning.

The group beat up and looted Hemraj Yonghang, 27, and Bipal Yonghang, 20, of Nagi VDC of the district. “The group stopped the vehicle in which we were travelling at Jorsal, two kilometres from the district headquarters. They bound our hands and beat us up mercilessly with fists, feet and iron rod,” the victims said. The two UML men have sustained critical injuries all over their bodies.

“They also made away with Rs 70,000 in cash and two tolas of gold, which we were taking along to pay the manpower company,” Hemraj said, adding: “They also threatened to kill us if we reported the incident to anyone in the district headquarters.”

UML district office secretary Raj Kumar Bhandari said: “We have informed the police about the incident. The injured duo has been sent to Panchthar Hospital for treatment.”

Maoist district in-charge Harka Nemwang said: “Perhaps the YCL cadres attacked them for political reasons. We will talk with other parties and investigate the incident.” In another incident, YCL cadres looted Rs 57,000 in cash from the house of Shree Prasad Begha at Phalaicha VDC in the district on Sunday, police said.