CPN-UML team holding Mechi-Mahakali campaign has entered Saptari district through Bhardaha on Monday.

The UML leaders will reach the programme venue, Maleth-based Gajendra Narayan Singh Industrial Area, shortly and begin the programme. UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to address the mass meeting.

Various places of Saptari district including the district headquarters Rajbiraj have become tense since today morning as the cadres of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) took the streets burning tyres at major thoroughfares.

The district administration has deployed around 1,500 security personnel in view of potential clashes, informed Chief District Officer Uddhav Timilsina.

After the Madhesi Morcha’s threat to disrupt its campaign in Saptari district, the CPN-UML has decided to shift the venue of a rally from Raj Rangashala of Rajbiraj to the Maleth-based Gajendra Narayan Singh Industrial Area, three kilometres away with a view to averting possible clashes with the regional parties.

Police personnel and SLMM cadres pushed against each other this morning at Gajendra Narayan Chowk after the former intervened and put out the tyres burnt by demonstrators.

The SLMM cadres have enforced a transportation strike in the district to protest against the CPN-UML’s Mechi-Mahakali campaign, bringing the vehicular movement in the district to a grinding halt.

The Police have arrested SLMM cadres who were obstructing vehicular movement at Kanchanpur section of the East-West Highway, informed DSP Dan Bahadur Karki.

The UML has urged its supporters to observe restrain during the programme.The main-opposition will be holding a mass meeting at Inrauwa in Sunsari prior to the programme in Saptari.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway at Maleth-based Gajendra Narayan Singh Industrial Area, amid high security, to host UML's programme.