Mahottari, February 5, 2008

At least 24 persons were injured after cadres of the Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party and Sanyukta Madhesi Morcha clashed with the poilce in Jaleshwor of Mahottari district today.

Jaleshwor remained tense throughout the day today as blasts and clashes hit the city. According to the Mahottari district police office, three policemen injured as protesters pelted stones on them. More than 17 protestors including Satyendra Yadav, Pankaj Sharma, Saroj Singh, Ranjeetraj Madhesi, Birendra Shah, Sunil Jha and Sudeep Jha among others were also injured in clashes with police. Three policemen — APF’s Inspector Kiran Poudel and constables Kajiman Rai and Umar Bahadur Phuyal — were injured.

The clash ensued after the protesters staged demonstration outside Jaleshwar Stadium where Nepali Congress senior leader Sher Bahadu rDeuba was addressing workers’ meeting. Police rained lathis at the protestors while they tried to disturbed NC meet. The clashes erupted between the police and protestors at Mahendrachowk, Zero Mile and Parkauli area of Jaleshwor.

A team of Nepal Red cross Society provided treatment to the injured persons, police said. Police arrested Satyendra Yadav after the clashes. Protestors vandalised two vehicles ferrying NC cadres to Jaleshwor. Fruit shops and a few other shops were damaged in the incident. Locals accused police of beating up pedestrians.

Home ministry ups security for some leaders

Kathmandu, February 5, 2008

The home ministry is providing additional security for a few political leaders when they are out of their residence for the past two weeks taking into account the possible threats to the leaders.

“The home ministry recently decided to provide them an officer from Nepal Police as PSO to be with the leaders and escort of 15-member APF squad when they are out of their houses,” ministry spokesperson ModrajDottel said, adding: “However, there had already been the policy of the government to provide security officer to former prime ministers and home ministers.”

The list of leaders include former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, Maoist chairman Prachanda, acting president of the NC Shushil Koirala, former home minister and NC leader Purna Bahadur Khadka, UML leader KP Oli and Janamorcha Nepal president Amik Sherchan. Sherchan, however, is yet to receive a security squad. Besides providing a private security officer (PSO), the home ministry is providing a squad of 15 Armed Police Force (APF) personnel. Deuba, Prachanda, and Shushil already had PSOs, whereas Oli and Khadka have been recently provided with PSOs, the home ministry official said.