REPUBLICA

(Updated with correction, 0915 NST, 0430 GMT)

KATHMANDU, April 9: Situation in Mahabir Chowk in Biratnagar
is tense Thursday morning after clashes between police and members of Matrika
Yadav-led faction of the Maoists, according to our correspondent Ajit Tiwari.

The Maoist members have burnt tires at several places and shut down the shops
in the area, demanding action against Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)
for allegedly shooting at their men Wednesday night. They are shouting slogans
like "End YCL terror".

There is a heavy presence of police and Armed
Police Force.

Biratnagar´s Mahabir Chowk.

Ajit Tiwari

Earlier, at least 17 persons were injured in a violent clash between the
Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and Matrika Yadav-led Communist Party
of Nepal (Maoist) in Biratnagar on Wednesday night, radio and television reports
said. Eleven of the injured are ruling Maoist party members and the rest are
from Matrika Yadav’s party.

The two sides also exchanged fire during the
clash that started at 10 p.m. and continued till early Thursday Thursday.


ABC Television said three of the injured have bullet wounds and the
injured are receiving treatment at Koshi Zonal Hospital.

The Unified CPN
(Maoist) said three of its workers have gone missing after the clash. The clash
had started after Matrika Yadav’s men torched a vehicle used by ruling Maoist
workers on Wednesday evening and allegedly abducted a Maoist worker.

In
a subsequent police intervention, Maoist Young Communist League’s Morang
in-charge Kushal Limbu and five others were injured while YCL’s district vice
president Arjun Rishidev and two others are missing, according to the YCL.
Police used baton and tear gas.

Meanwhile, Bijaya Kamat, the election
candidate from Matrika Yadav’s CPN (Maoist) from Morang Constituency-7 said his
group attacked the vehicle as the ruling Maoists continued electioneering in
violation of the election code of conduct.

By-elections are scheduled
for Friday in six constituencies in five districts. Election code of conduct
bars parties from campaigning from 72 hours before the elections.

Chief
District Officer of Morang, Shashi Shekhar Shrestha, told myrepublica.com over
phone that no one has been arrested so far.