The agitating Madhes-based parties have concentrated their protest programmes in areas along the Nepal-India border. They staged sit-in at various border points on Thursday to enforce trade blockade.

Activists of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha and Sanghiya Samabesi Madhesi Morcha staged sit-in at Miteri Bridge that connects Birgunj and Raxaul, protesting the promulgation of new constitution. A clash ensued in the area as security personnel intervened to disperse protesters. About a dozen people, including five policemen, were injured in the clash.

Police fired bullets in the air and lobbed five tear gas canisters to vacate the area. Following the clash, demonstrators went to the Indian side of the bridge. Police urged the protesters to return peacefully but the latter refused.

A huge number of Indian security personnel were mobilised on the Indian side following the incident.

Meanwhile, expressing solidarity with Tarai protests, people in the bordering Indian town of Raxaul provided lunch and water to Nepali protesters.

Superintendent of Police Dibesh Lohani said security personnel tried to disperse demonstrators as protest programmes cannot be staged at the custom point and no-man’s-land area.

In Morang, Madhesi Morcha activists staged sit-in protests at the Rani checkpoint in Biratnagar. Indian Seema Surakshya Bal (SSB) has tightened security in the southern side of the border following the protests.

The protests started at 2pm and continued till the evening on Thursday. Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Chairman Mahanta Thakur had addressed the protest

programme.

The SSB also restricted people to travel from the checkpoint for few hours. They thoroughly checked people entering Jogbani bazaar and forbid those who were trying to enter Nepal.

Likewise, police held eight SLMM supporters for obstructing the customs point near in Rautahat.

Meanwhile, in Janakpur, Madhesi Morcha activists staged sit-in in front of houses of Minister and Lawmakers on Thursday. They also asked lawmakers who signed the constitution not to enter Dhanusa district. Our correspondent in Mahottari said some legal practitioners burnt copies of the new constitution at Buddhijibi Chowk and expressed solidarity with Tarai protests.

Similarly, SLMM protesters resorted to vandalism and torched Pakari Police Station in Saptari. Furniture and clothes, among other things in the office, were destroyed in the the incident. Protesters also vandalised Ward Offices of Saptakoshi Municipality-8, 9 and 10. Fearing of mob attack, police stationed at Diman Police Station have also brought to district headquarters.

(With inputs from our local correspondents)