Opponents of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact demonstrated in Birendranagar today amidst a curfew order. Police have taken 23 under its control for breaching the order imposed since last night owing to a fierce protest against the US-aid project.
The House ratified the Compact on Sunday and a mob not happy with the move took to street following day, resorting to vandalism and arson in the town. They vandalised the offices of political parties and torched police beats in the town.
The violation of the curfew promoted a scuffle between a security force and protestors where 18 police personnel including the inspector were injured. The dissentients hurled stones at the security force alerting the public through megaphone to stay indoors during the curfew hours. City police Chief Lal Bahadur Sunar is among those injured in the attack. According to the District Police Office Deputy Superintendent of Police Ram Prasad Gharti, nine among the injured have been hospitalized while remaining nine have received minor injuries.
Two common people have also got injuries in the scuffle. The District Administration Office, Surkhet has clamped the curfew beginning from 8:15 pm Monday till 7:00 pm today. Chief District Officer Khagendra Prasad Rijal said the curfew, if there is no further notice, shall remain into effect till late this evening. The situation throughout today will determine a step ahead, he said.