A CPN-UML activist was killed in a clash between the supporters of the UML and CPN (Maoist Centre) at Jugu in Gaurishankar Village Council-2, Dolakha on Tuesday night in the most serious incident of violence so far this election season.

According to Dolakha District Police Office, Kul Bahadur Tamang, 33, died in the incident. Dil Bahadur Budhathoki, a local school teacher and UML supporter, has sustained critical injuries, said police. Budhathoki has been rushed to Kathmandu for treatment. The incident site is about 58km east of Charikot, the district headquarters of Dolakha. 

Police said eight persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. 

“Investigation is underway,” said Chief District Officer Yangya Raj Bohara. 

Slain Kul Bahadur was son of Gore Tamang who is contesting the May 14 elections for the post of ward member of Gaurishankar Village Council-2. According to locals, the clash erupted after a dispute between the UML and Maoist Centre supporters over motorcycles parked on a narrow road. Kul Bahadur, along with other UML activists, had parked their motorbikes on the narrow road in front of a hotel where they were having dinner. A heated discussion flared up after Maoist Centre activists could not get through the narrow road due to motorcycles parked there, said a local. 

Security personnel who reached the incident site at around 2m had found Kul Bahadur dead on the premises of a school. 

Meanwhile, a complaint has been filed at District Police Office against 39 Maoist leaders and activists, including former state minister Devi Khadka, party’s central secretariat member Ganga Karki and district assistant in-charge Bishal Khadka

3 injured in Rukum

A least three persons were injured when supporters of the CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre) clashed in Musikot, the district headquarters of Rukum, on Wednesday. Police had to fire three rounds of bullet in air to disperse the crowd and take the situation under control, said Inspector Thaman Bahadur Rajali of District Police Office. A police officer, a temporary cop and a UML activist were injured in the clash that flared up during an election campaign. The injured are receiving treatment at Rukumeli Community Hospital. On Tuesday, Nepali Congress and Maoist Centre supporters had clashed at Sanibheri Village Council of the district. (PR)