KATHMANDU: Chairman of the United National Peoples Movement Dr Baburam Bhattarai said the first day of the three-day general strike was largely successful despite some incidents of clashes in the Valley and the nation.

Issuing a press statement here today, Dr Bhattarai accused the government of trampling on the constitutional right of the people to protest by suppressing the peaceful movement of the Maoist.

According to UNPM, more than 50 people were injured during the clashes with the police during today’s demonstrations. “Police used force at several places in the Valley, including New Baneshwor,” stated the release, adding that the police used blank shots, tear gas shells and water canons, besides lathis. “Madhu Chaulagain, who was injured at Baneshwor, is now receiving treatment in Intensive Care Unit, Ram Krishna Acharya was hit in the head by a bullet and Dipak Khadiyari was left to die at Minbhawan after police firing and is also receiving treatment.”

Those injured at New Baneshwor include members of Constituent Assembly Yashoda Subedi and Gayatri, Hira Tamang, Suman Tamang, Binod Khatiwada and RC Chaudhary. At Gaushala, Mohan B K sustained head injury while Hira Shahi, Laxmi Rai and Baburam Bhatta were also injured there.

The UNPM claimed that police arrested 80 Maoist leaders and cadres, including Saptari district secretary Asarfi Sada and office assistant Manpur Chaudhary from Saptari, five from Banglung, four people, including district member Bikash Sunuwar, from Kaski. More than 30 people were arrested, including central secretary of Newa Rastriya Mukti Morcha, Suresh Shrestha. Eight people, including Nar Bahadur Tamang, Prakash Adhikary, Shekharnath Acharya, Bishal and Rajesh were arrested from Gaushala.

UNPM stated that Maoist cadres had to retaliate when the NC cadres hurled stones at the Maoist district headquarters in Parbat today.

Maoists also organised torch rallies in several parts of the Valley this evening.

The UNPM had asked the government to release all those arrested today immediately and provide free treatment to those injured.