The local administration has clamped curfew in and around Lahan municipality from 6 pm this evening till 4 am on Saturday morning after one person was killed when the workers of Madhesi People’s Rights Forum (MPRF) and Maoists clashed with each other in Lahan of Siraha district this afternoon.

According to reports, clash ensued after a group of Maoist cadres were stopped by MPRF cadres in Lahan as they had announced chakkajam – traffic blockade – in the area.

One Ramesh Mahato, 16, was killed when a Maoist cadre opened fire at the MPRF workers. Following the killing, the workers of MPRF torched over one dozen vehicles.

Transport in Siraha and Saptari districts as well as in several places in the East West highway have been disrupted by the MPRF cadres who are demanding that their central leaders be immediately released.

Around 14 leaders of MPRF including its chairman Upendra Yadav were arrested from Kathmandu on Tuesday after they burnt copies of interim constitution claiming that it failed to address the concerns of people of Terai. Some of these leaders have been slapped with charges under Public Offense Act.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Terai MPs belonging to various parties today met with Home Minister Krishna Sitaula. The MPs urged the minister to release the MPRF leaders who they say had been arrested without any legal basis.

In another development, leaders of eight parties including Maoists, have decided to hold a joint peace and goodwill rally in Birgunj on January 21.