The Hindu : International : Protests rage in eastern Nepal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 26, 2007
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International

International

Protests rage in eastern Nepal

Ameet Dhakal

KATHMANDU: As protests and violence spread throughout the eastern Terai in Nepal, local administrations have clamped curfew in major towns — Biratnagar, Birgunj and Janakpur.

Police and supporters of Madheshee People's Right Forum (MPRF) clashed in half a dozen towns in eastern Terai. MPRF activists, who had called a general strike in Biratnagar on Thursday, vandalised dozens of vehicles and tried to set government offices and private businesses on fire. Cadres of mainstream political parties and MPRF activists clashed in several places.

Curfew clamped

Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells and bullets to control the mob. Several protesters are reported to have been injured but no casualty has been reported. As the situation went out of control the local administration clamped curfew in Biratnagar from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Similarly, Birgunj, the southern gateway to India, also remained tense throughout the day. The supporters of MPRF clashed with locals when they tried to enforce the strike. The protestors also vandalised local shops.

In Janakpur, protests continued to defy curfew orders. Police fired several rounds of bullets to disperse the protesters. Over a dozen protesters received bullets wounds and two of them are said to be in a critical condition.

Police have alleged that in some areas protesters fired at the security personnel. Protestors also vandalised the Maoist office in Mahottari district.

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