Clashes erupted in various Tarai districts during a banda enforced by the agitating Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) on Wednesday. 

Two people were injured at Kadmaha in Saptari when a scuffle ensued after RJP-N cadres pelted stones at a bus carrying police personnel deployed to Solukhumbu and Khotang districts to provide security for the June 28 elections, the Eastern Regional Police Office said. 

RJP-N supporters also detained 55 assistant election officers for more than an hour at Mahendra Bindeshwori Multiple Campus in Rajbiraj, where an election-related training was being held. 

The District Election Office cancelled the event after the RJP-N obstruction.

In Mirchaiya, Siraha, three people, including RJP-N district chairman, Ram Bahadur Mahato, were injured when police intervened to stop the protesters who were trying to vandalise a truck.

In Mahottari, a group of RJP-N supporters vandalised the party office of Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal (SSF-N). The incident was condemned by Ram Naresh Yadav, the district chairman of the SSF-N. 

RJP-N supporters also demonstrated at various parts of Janakpur. The party leader Anil Kumar Jha said they will continue their protest until the government addresses their demands. 

In Rautahat, RJP-N activists burnt tyres in various parts of Gaur, the district headquarters. They also vandalised four vehicles at Siswa, Kabir Chowk, Jingadiya and Birta Chowk. 

Army steps up patrol in Saptari

RAJBIRAJ: Nepal Army personnel has been deployed in Saptari after an increase in anti-election activities. On Wednesday, an NA patrol were mobilised to Mahendra Bindeshwori Multiple Campus in Rajbiraj, where supporters of the agitating RJP-N had detained 55 assistant election officers.

Dambar Bohara, the chief of Krishna Dal Battalion, said the NA soldiers were patrolling the areas deemed sensitive in terms of security for the upcoming polls. He added that the NA has set up temporary posts at several places for security and surveillance.

Election activities obstructed

NAWALPARASI:  RJP-N supporters obstructed the election campaigns of other parties in Nawalparasi district on Wednesday.

They barred the candidates from organising campaign rallies and gatherings in Parasi, the district headquarters, and four village councils. RJP-N, which has threatened to obstruct the June 28 elections, has enforced a banda in several Tarai districts to press the government to address its demands.

With the elections only two weeks away, the other political parties and their candidates have been unable to campaign freely.  

On Wednesday, RJP-N cadres gathered at streets and main thoroughfares of Nawalparasi and chanted slogans against the government.

The banda greatly affected the normal life, particularly at Mahespur, Kudiya, Pratappur, Rupauliya, Somani, Susta, Paklihawa, Guhiprasauni, Tilakpur and Badalpur. Shops, transport service and schools were forced shut. 

Demonstration in Nepalgunj

BANKE: Supporters of RJP-N staged a demonstration in Nepalgunj on Wednesday.

They obstructed the vehicular movement at Dhambojhi Chowk and in the process vandalised some motorcycles.

Police arrested one Lalit Rauniyar on charge of throwing stones at a campaign vehicle of Nepali Congress. Following the arrest, Rauniyar has started a hunger strike.

Forceful polls will invite conflict: Mahato

BIRGUNJ: RJP-N leader Rajendra Mahato on Wednesday warned the government against holding that the local elections in the Tarai without addressing their demands.

The government should first increase the local units on the basis of population, provide compensation to the victims of Madhes movement, withdraw false charges against Madhesi people and amend the constitution to conduct the local elections in the Tarai, he said at a press meet in Birgunj.

If the elections are held forcefully, the country will plunge into a serious conflict, he added. Mahato demanded the government to postpone the polls in the Tarai.