Over 20 people injured in clash in south Nepal

[freedomnorth]

Source: Xinhua, BBC

KATHMANDU, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- A total of 25 agitators were injured in south Nepal during a clash with police on Friday, local media reported.

In Gaur, the district headquarters of Rautahat district, some 110 km south of capital Kathmandu, a clash occurred when cadres of United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) tried to seize the material carried by the Election Commission (EC) officials.

Hundreds of the UDMF cadres gathered to seize the EC material including forms and stationary when a helicopter landed at Chaur of Gaur, local leading media group's website THT Online reported.

Some 400 security personnel are guarding the election commission material at the site.

Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/22/content_7650690.htm

[freedomnorth]

1. Nepal protests 'threaten peace'

Violent protests in southern Nepal could undo recent progress made towards establishing peace, the EU has warned.

The heads of EU missions in the country have urged Nepal's government to restore order in the south before holding nationwide elections in April.

The polls aim to boost a peace process that ended a Maoist rebellion in 2006.

The plains of southern Nepal, home to half the country's population, are being blockaded as part of a strike by an ethnic group demanding more rights.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7259028.stm