A group of some 20 Indians attacked cadres of the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), warning them to vacate the Miteri Bridge area. They even sprinkled petrol on tents belonging to the protesters and attempted to torch them. But the protesters managed to chase them away.
"They took advantage of our low number as many of us had gone away to eat. There were only 20 to 25 agitators when they attacked," said Krishna Patel, a local leader of Nepal Sadbhawana Party. "But the rest of us managed to reach the site and chase them away," he added.
The attackers were from the neighboring Indian village of Ahirawa and were armed with sticks and domestic implements. "Their motive was to free the Indian trucks stranded at the border. But they did not manage to free more than one truck," he added.
Shatru Dhan Yadav of Birgunj-19 sustained a severe head injury during the attack. Likewise, Madan Yadav of Inaruwa and a woman, Rekha Sah, were also injured in the incident.
"The Indians not only attacked us, but robbed us as well," said the injured Madan. He claimed to have been robbed of Rs 82,000, a watch and a mobile phone.
Birgunj has remained tense throughout the day following the incident. The protesters have completely obstructed all vehicular movement at the border and the bajaars in Birgunj also remained closed. However, police are yet to reach the incident site.
Earlier on Wednesday, five UDMF cadres had sustained injuries in an attack by Indians. Among them, Susher Shah of Kalaiya Municipality was critically injured. The other injured are Ranjit Sah of Pheta, Bara district and Ram Din Yadav, Nandu Yadav and Firoj Babu Sekh of Birgunj-13.
"We had earlier foiled their attempts to smuggle fuel into the country and destroyed it," said Pradeep Yadav, Parsa district coordinator of UDMF, claiming that the attack was a revenge ploy.
UML cadres clash with UDMF cadres; 2 held
UDMF protestors try to attack a motorcyclist after the incident.
