look news india
Kathmandu, Nepal : of Nepal Capital At least six people were injured as anti-government protesters clashed with police in Kathmandu on Saturday. According to Kathmandu Police, National Liberation Movement (NLM) led by Rajendra Mahato Activists tried to protest in the Bhadrakali area in front of the Singhdarbar Secretariat, but security personnel stopped them from entering the restricted area.
Police said the protesters clashed with police personnel deployed at the spot, who resorted to lathicharge on the agitators to bring the situation under control. Two policemen and four NLM cadres were injured in the clash.
According to media reports, the clashes broke out after NLM cadres led by Madhesh-based leader Rajendra Mahato organized a march in Kathmandu demanding recognition of states on the basis of ethnicity.
The protesters pulled down the barricades put up by the police to prevent them from entering the restricted area and later pelted stones at the security personnel, resulting in further deterioration of the situation.
“12 NLM cadres were also arrested from the spot during the anti-government protest. Police had to use force as protesters tried to enter the restricted area”, said Nepal Police spokesperson Nabaraj Adhikari.
The protesters and two police officers sustained injuries in the incident, the official told news agency PTI, adding that the condition of one of the injured policemen is critical and is being treated at a neuro hospital in Kathmandu.
Police also used water cannon to disperse the protesters, who had earlier announced their intention to hold a mass gathering in an open ground used for protests. But the crowd turned towards the administrative capital, which has been declared a restricted area by local authorities since last year.
Nepal's former Deputy Prime Minister Rajendra Mahato, who was leading the protests, was not injured and was removed from the scene as the clashes began.
Mahato, a senior leader of Madhesh, left the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) on 26 February and announced a new campaign, “Rashtriya Mukti Kranti” (National Liberation Movement).
