12 hurt as rival Maoists clash

BHARATPUR, JUL 01 -

At least 12 people were injured when activists of the UCPN (Maoist) and the CPN-Maoist clashed at Bharatpur in Chitwan on Saturday over the ownership of their former party office.

Two of the victims reportedly sustained bullet injuries but the firing is yet to be verified independently. They are undergoing treatment at Bharatpur Medical College.

The clash erupted as activists of both the factions came face to face at the Krishnapur-based party office to attend separate programmes scheduled at the same time.

The establishment side had called a gathering of its sister orgaisations while the splinter group led by Mohan Baidya has been using the office as its quarters.

The factions traded blames for the confrontation that took a nasty turn.

Following the incident at the party office, the establishment faction organised a corner meet at Trichok where activists of the newly formed party reportedly attacked them with sharp weapons, rods and batons.

Most of the injured are said to be supporters of the party led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai. The UCPN (Maoist) has claimed that Baidya’s men opened fire in the scuffle.

Chief District Officer Himnath Dawadi said two of the injured sustained bullet-like injuries in their thighs, adding that the case requires further investigation.

Trichok area remained tense for about four hours. Baton-wielding youths marched the area with an intention to attack the rival group. Some 200 security personnel were deployed to calm the situation.

Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/07/01/national/12-hurt-as-rival-maoists-clash/356422/