At least a dozen people were injured, one critically, in a skirmish that ensued after cadres of Unified CPN (Maoist) affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) attacked a programme organised by Rastriya Prajatantra Party - Nepal (RPP-N) in Pokhara Thursday morning. Some six policemen were also injured in the scuffle.

Ten of those injured were RPP-N activists. Reports said YCL cadres with wooden sticks and iron rods in their hands suddenly attacked them at Siddhartha Chowk at 8:45 am while they were collecting signatures in support of their nationwide programme to declare the country a Hindu state and restore constitutional monarchy, according to reports.

RPP-N district chairman Devi Jung Gurung has sustained serious injuries in the attack. He is currently undergoing treatment at Model Hospital.

District division chairman Lal Bahadur Malla including Amir Miyaa, Sakuran Miyaa, Ram Bahadur Tamang, Dand Raj Acharya were also among the injured RPP-N activists. They are also undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

YCL cadres also clashed with police personnel who had intervened to take control of the situation. They started pelting stones at the police after the latter tried to stop them from disrupting the RPP-N program. 

In the scuffle two YCL cadres and six police personnel sustained minor injuries. One of the injured has been identified as YCL district chairman Suman Devkota.

Following the clash, the main market center of Mahendra Pul has been shut down and transportation has also been obstructed.

Reports said there is a heavy presence of security personnel in the area as the situation is still very tense. nepalnews.com