During a torch rally organized by the CPN-UML in Birendranagar on the evening of March 30, a clash broke out between the police and UML cadres, resulting in injuries to more than two dozen leaders, cadres, and police personnel.
According to DSP Mohan Jung Budhathapa of the District Police Office, Surkhet, Inspector Rajan Bhattarai, chief of the Municipal Police Office, had his tooth broken due to a punch from a protester. “On the police side, one inspector and two others sustained minor injuries. We have also heard that protesters were injured, but we have not yet received any official complaint,” he said.
He further stated that the police are searching for the UML cadre responsible for breaking the inspector’s tooth while he was deployed for crowd security.
According to UML Surkhet, those injured include central committee member Navaraj Rawat, district chair Kulmani Devkota, vice-chair Mohan Singh Baduwal, secretary Dammar Tiwari, deputy secretary Sushila Bishwakarma, former provincial assembly member Raju Nepali, Birendranagar Municipality deputy mayor Nilkantha Khanal, and Ward No. 16 chairperson Danda BK. Additionally, around 30 leaders and cadres, including Moti BK, Khagendra Gurung, Bhim Bahadur Khatri, Kamal Khadka (Juni), Man Bahadur Rokaya, Nar Bahadur BC, Chhabilal Badi, and Jay Bahadur Singh, were injured, according to district vice-chair Mohan Singh Baduwal.
Baduwal claimed that police used excessive force against leaders and cadres who were peacefully protesting and sitting at the party office. He stated that the party would pursue legal action regarding the incident. All injured individuals received treatment on March 30 at Karnali Care Hospital, Surkhet, though two individuals have not yet been discharged.
According to a press note issued by the District Police Office, Surkhet, on the night of March 30, the incident occurred around 6 PM at the UML party office located in Hatiya Chowk, Birendranagar Municipality–6. The protest was organized under the coordination of UML Surkhet in opposition to the arrest of party Chair KP Oli.
