Maitighar tense as Maoists try to defy prohibitory order; dozens injured.

KATHMANDU, May 9 -- Maitighar area in the capital has become tense after the UCPN (Maoist) cadres, who have been laying siege to Singhadurbar, confronted with police personnel on Sunday.

The clash broke out after the Maoist tried to defy the prohibitory order and beat up one person on charge of being an anti-Maoist 'vigilante'.

Dozens of Maoist cadres, three police personnel including Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhola Rawal have been injured during the clash. The agitators beat up Avenues Television camera operator Rabindra Shrestha and snatched his camera.

Police used force after the Maoists tried to defy the prohibitory order after which they lobbed dozens of teargas shells to disperse the agitating mob.

Earlier, the agitating Maoists held two persons captive on charge of opening shots at the Maoists from the roof. All detained duo, said to be employees of the National Investigation Department, were latter handed over to the team of OHCHR. Areas around Singhadurbar were declared prohibited zones in view of the Maoists protest.

The UCPN (Maoist) cadres have been laying siege to Singhadurbar-the central government administration-from 9 am this morning as part of their ongoing agitation against the government.

The main opposition Maoist, which had called off its indefinite strike on Friday following intense pressure from national and international community, changed its agitation strategy. They have blocked all four entrances of the main government administration building so as to prevent the ministers and high-level government officials from entering Singhadurbar.

Meanwhile, the Maoist is holding its Standing Committee meeting in order to prepare its agitation modus operandi. The meeting of the Maoist people's agitation committee is scheduled to be held later today.

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