Santosh Budhathoki, a central member of the CPN-UML-affiliated Youth Association Nepal (YAN), also in charge of Banke, was injured when he was attacked by an armed group in Kohalpur-11 on Thursday night. 

Police said Laxman Malla of Mugu attacked Budhathoki at around 8:45pm while he was returning home on a motorcycle. 

Budhathoki, who sustained deep injuries, is undergoing treatment at Luknow-based hospital after receiving preliminary treatment in Kohalpur, Deputy Superintendent of Police Suresh Prasad Kafle. 

Police arrested seven people for their alleged involvement in attacking Budhathoki. However, main accused Malla is at large. Some other groups had also attacked Budhathoki as he was accused of hooliganism in the past, said police. 

Kohalpur area remained tense after YAN organised a strike in protest of the attack on Friday afternoon. The protesters organised a rally and blocked Kohalpur Chowk from 3pm to 5pm demanding punishment for the guilty. Ashok Koirala, UML district chairman, said party supporters are being attacked to spoil the ongoing protest against the constitution amendment bill. “The incident is a political vendetta, so we demand the government take action against the guilty immediately,” said Koirala.