Supporters of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha set ablaze a motorcycle with the rider on in front of Nepal Army’s Barakh Battalion at Birgunj main road on Friday for allegedly transporting petrol.

The victim identified as 38-year-old Rajendra Paswan of Parwanipur-4, Bara, is a central member of the Federation of Gas Dealers’ Association. Police said that Paswan received serious burn injuries.

Rajendra and his brother Jitendra were returning home on their motorcycle (Na 19 Pa 1969) at around 2pm. “Morcha supporters were checking vehicles in front of the Battalion. They stopped our motorcycle and misbehaved with us accusing us of transporting fuel,” said Jitendra.

“When my brother opened the lid of the motorcycle tank to show them the fuel level, one of them lit a matchstick and threw it towards us,” said Jitendra. He, however, had escaped unhurt. The front of the motorcycle was completely destroyed by the fire.

Police said that Rajendra, who stayed on on the motorcycle, received serious burn injuries. Superintendent of Police Rajubabu Shrestha said the Morcha protesters had set fire to the two-wheeler while they were busy at Ghantaghar Chowk. Rajendra is receiving care at Narayani Sub-regional Hospital.

Morcha supporters have torched around three dozen vehicles so far on the charge of transporting fuel from across the border defying their obstruction. On Friday, protesters vandalised some shops that had opened in Birgunj. They also staged a torch rally in Birgunj on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, addressing a programme at Maisthan Chowk on Friday, Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato instructed party cadres to stage a strong protest “this last time”.

Madhesi Morcha intensifies stir

RAJBIRAJ: SLMM activists demonstrated in Saptari, Siraha, Bara and other Tarai districts on Friday. Madhesi leaders said they have resumed their protests as the talks between the government and the Madhes-based parties failed to reach a conclusion. After the Morcha intensified its protests again, normal life has been affected.

(With inputs from our local correspondents)