Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato was injured on Saturday in a clash between activists of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) and security personnel at Biratnagar-Jogbani border point in Morang district. According to the Morcha, around a dozen protesters were also injured in the clash.

Mahato has sustained serious injuries on his head and legs. While police claimed that Mahato was injured by stones thrown by the protesters from the Jogbani area across Nepal-India border, Sadbhawana Party leader Santosh Mehta accused security forces of using excessive force.  

After the clash, Mahato and other SLMM activists went to the bordering Indian town of Jogbani where Mahato received primary treatment. Later he was brought to Biratnagar-based Golden Hospital, where he has been admitted in the ICU.

Five Morcha activists were also arrested.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Tarini Prasad Lamsal said that Mahato and some SLMM supporters entered the no-man’s-land from the Indian territory and attempted to obstruct supplies.

“We requested the Morcha leaders not to obstruct the border,” said SP Lamsal, adding that the clash ensued after police tried to disperse them.

Mahato, along with other Morcha activists, was staging a sit-in to obstruct the border point. The SLMM protesters then crossed into the Indian territory and hurled stones at police. Police had lobbed some tear gas canisters and charged batons to prevent any untoward situation.

Later in the evening, SLMM activists took out a torch rally in Rajbiraj, Saptari, to protest “security forces’ excesses”. They shouted slogans against the home minister and the government, demanding action against those who were involved in assaulting Mahato.

The SLMM supporters also staged demonstrations in Saptari, Siraha and Rautahat districts, accusing the government of not being serious about addressing Madhesi demands.

Due to the clash between protesters and police, supplies through Biratnagar-Jogbani customs point were obstructed. Around 125 cargo trucks had entered Nepal from the border point before the clash.

Nepalgunj tense

NEPALGUNJ: Nepalgunj-Rupaidiha border point remained tense on Saturday after activists of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha staged sit-in on the no-man’s-land.

Around 50 protesters obstructed the Nepalgunj border point from early Saturday, according to police. Morcha leader Pashupati Dayal Mishra said they had to continue their protest on no-man’s-land after the government failed to address their demands. The SLMM activists had tried to obstruct supplies through the Nepalgunj-Rupaidiha border point on Friday as well. Police had detained four SLMM activists and foiled their bid to obstruct the border point.