Madhesi leader, 15 others injured in Nepal clashes

A top Madhesi leader was among 16 people injured in clashes near Indo-Nepal border between Nepalese police and agitators opposing the new Constitution.

Rajendra Mahato, the chairman of Sadhbhawana Party, was injured in police action in Biratnagar on Saturday.

Clashes erupted as police intervened when the Madhesi cadres tried to blockade the Rani Customs point in Jogbani-Biratnagar area near Indo-Nepal border.

Mahato sustained injuries to his head and chest as the police baton charged and fired teargas shells at demonstrators. Two other cadres were also injured in the incident.

Sadbhawana Party is one of the four Madhesi parties which have been agitating in southern Nepal districts under the banner of United Democratic Madhesi Front for the last four months.

Madhesis, largely of Indian-origin, are agitating over the new Constitution demanding more representation. They are also protesting division of their ancestral homeland under the seven-province structure and have led an ongoing blockade of key border trade points with India.

Later, protests erupted in various places of Rajbiraj and Janakpur over police action against Mahato.

The agitating Madhesi cadres staged demonstrations and chanted slogans against government in front of the District Police Office at Rajbiraj.

Twelve protesters and one policeman were injured during clashes that erupted between the security personnel and the agitating Madhesi cadres in Ramchowk of Janakpur.

The Madhesi groups have been demanding action against the security personnel involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, the agitating Madhesi cadres on Sunday torched a vehicle of Kantipur National Daily in Parwanipur Chok of Bara district in southern Nepal.

Image: People walk near a burning tyre on the highway connecting Nepal to India during a general strike called by the Madhesi protesters demonstrating against the new constitution in Birgunj, Nepal. Photograph: Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters