Even though there were no deaths reported on the agitating side in Tikapur, 12 protesters are learnt to have sustained serious bullet injuries in the clash.

The Tharuhat Struggle Committee claimed that 12 protesters were injured in police firing on Monday. “They are deprived of treatment as police are looking for them,” a Tharuhat leader told the Post over telephone. Seriously injured protesters are still in hiding fearing arrest, he said.

The families of the injured have demanded access to health care. Police had nabbed injured protesters Hari Narayan Chaudhary, Sundar Lal Kathariya and Raj Kumar Chaudhary from Tikapur Hospital.

Sita Kathariya of Manuwa-1, Sundar Lal’s wife, said she had no information about her husband.

“I have no idea if he is dead or alive,” said Sita, adding that she had heard reports of him taken to Dhangadhi or Kathmandu.

The families of protesters said they were worried as they did not know the situation of their relatives.