Tension gripped Birgunj and Rautahat on Friday and Saturday after the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) decided to intensify its protests following what it calls government’s “unilateral move” of tabling the Constituent Amendment Bill in Parliament.

The SLMM on Friday unveiled its fresh protest programmes, saying that the three major parties “betrayed Madhes” by tabling the amendment bill despite its objection.

On Friday protesters hurled Molotov cocktails, bottles and stones at security personnel while on Saturday they clashed with police in Birgunj after the security forces tried to stop them at Ghantaghar Chowk. Situation remained tense in Birgunj throughout the day on Saturday.

Four locals were also injured when protesters were throwing stones.

The District Police Office informed that six policemen, including Inspector Sekh Adalat, also sustained injuries. Police have arrested two protesters on charge of vandalising vehicles. According to police, a local media person, Suresh Bidari, was also injured while he was taking photographs.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajubabu Shrestha said police had to lob tear gas canisters to take situation under control. “We also arrested some protesters who were involved in the vandalism,” he said. In Rautahat,  the district headquarters of Gaur, at least 10 cops were injured in a clash between them and protesters on Saturday. The clash ensued after police tried to stop protesters from attacking a fire engine at Karbirchowk in the district. The enraged protesters then hurled stones at security personnel.

SP Ganeshraj Regmi said police fired four rounds of bullets into the air and lobbed eight tear gas canisters to take situation under control.

The Morcha also claimed that some protesters were injured in the clash.