The clash erupted after the Maoist cadres, while enforcing their general strike, went to the UML district office in Manma and beat up UML district secretary Kurmaraj Shahi, Youth Force chief Durga Bahadur Shahi and district member Bharat Raj Dhital.
The Maoists had called a general strike in Bheri and Karnali zones for Sunday.
Five UML leaders including Kurma Raj Shahi and Durga bahadur Shahi are seriously injured. They will be airlifted to Nepalgunj for treatment, police said.
After beating up the three leaders, the irate Maoists armed with batons and khukuris were seen looking for other UML cadres, who were planning retaliation.
Police fired several rounds into the air and teargas shells to take the situation under control. “The situation became tense after the Maoists started beating up UML cadres while enforcing their banda,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rana Bahadur Rayamajhi.
Issuing a statement on Sunday, the UML has condemned the Maoist attack on its party cadres.
Last week four Maoists were injured when Nepali Congress (NC) activists attacked them in retaliation against the beating of the NC district chief by the Maoists.
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