21 CPN-UML men injured, 70 held after protests

AT LEAST 21 activists of Nepal’s main Opposition CPN-UML have been injured in clashes with police and 70 party workers arrested during a protest against the Constitution Amendment Bill.

The clashes took place Wednesday in Kailali district between police and the CPNUML party members who were protesting against the bill which is aimed at carving out a new province to meet the demands of agitating Madhesis and other ethnic groups.

At least 21 people were injured in clashes with police and 70 arrested.

Opposition parties have been protesting against the bill after the coalition government led by Prime Minister Prachanda registered a motion last week to amend the Constitution to accommodate some of the key demands of the Madhesi parties and other ethnic groups.

Meanwhile, CPN-UML issued a statement, asking the government to immediately release its party workers arrested during the demonstration. Opposition parties, UML, CPN-ML, Rastriya Janamorcha and Nepal Workers Peasants Party Wednesday obstructed the parliament proceedings against the Constitution amendment proposal.