Two persons have been reported injured in a clash that broke out between the cadres of Nepali Congress (NC) and left alliance in Sotang of Solukhubmu on Friday.

The injured persons include NC district treasurer Pema Tamang. Tamang, who was critically injured in the incident, has been airlifted to Capital via a Nepal Army chopper today itself.

Another person injured in the altercation has been identified as Ghanshyam Nepali of left alliance. He sustained a deep cut on his head and is receiving treatment at a local health centre.

Other people injured in the clash are in normal condition now, said Bhadragol Kirati from the incident site.

Tension had gripped Sotang since Thursday after NC federal parliamentary candidate Bal Bahadur KC’s group was accused of tearing left alliance’s promotional materials.

On the contrary, KC’s faction says that the left alliance’s cadres surrounded and hurled stones at a house where NC cadres were residing last night. On Friday morning, a team headed by KC engaged in a heated debate with rivals which resulted in the clash.

UML leader Jagannath Bastola of Solukhumbu admitted that left alliance’s cadres had picketed the house where NC cadres were staying. According to Bastola, the KC’s faction had torn over 150 pamphlets of left alliance right in front of the police on Thursday.

He said the clash occurred today morning after KC himself came and challenged the cadres of left alliance of their strength.

On the other hand, KC refused to accept that his team tore the promotional materials. He said left alliance cadres tore the materials themselves to create tension and find a reason for confrontation.

Chief District Officer Bhupendra Thapa said that the situation has returned to normalcy. According to him, a police team has been sent to the area to normalise the situation by calling an all-party meeting.