Supporters of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), which has been protesting against the CPN-UML’s nationwide election rally, on Tuesday obstructed the Nepalgunj-Gulariya road stretch and set a Lamahi-bound passenger bus on fire at Udharpur in Banke.

The UML’s election campaign on Tuesday reached Nepalgunj and Gulariya. 

Security personnel lobbed two teargas canisters and fired as many times in air to disperse the protesters who had blocked the Nepalgunj-Gulariya road section at Sonpur and Udharapur.

Police said they were forced to fire in air and lob teargas shells after Morcha supporters attempted to obstruct vehicles used by the UML to ferry party members.

The incident on Tuesday comes just over a week after the Maleth incident in Saptari in which Morcha protesters were killed in police firing. Three died on March 6 and two others succumbed to bullet injuries on March 8 and March 10 while undergoing treatment.

Police also resorted to baton charge to disperse the protesters.

SLMM leader Pashupati Dayal Mishra said 12 SLMM activists sustained injuries after police used force during their peaceful agitation. The injured are receiving treatment at Nepalgunj Teaching Hospital.

UML leaders and activists used an alternative route, through Kohalpur, to reach Gulariya due to obstruction by Morcha supporters.