Tension ran high in New Baneshwor in front of the Parliament building on Friday as demonstrators protesting an American grant burned tires and clashed with police.

Student wings of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist)—the two coalition partners in the Deuba government—protested against the Millennium Challenge Corporation-Nepal Compact as Parliament convened its meeting.

Protesters and police clashed as the demonstrators tried to breach the police barricade to enter the prohibited zone.

Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.

In recent months, the $500 million US grant has become a divisive issue, with many questioning the American intent for providing it to Nepal and the need for the parliamentary ratification of the programme.

Here are some photos of the protest captured by Post’s photographers Hemanta Shrestha and Angad Dhakal.