On Wednesday, a clash broke out between UML workers and the Gen-G group in Simara, forcing the airport to close. Not only that, a curfew was also imposed from 12:30 pm to 8 pm.
What you should know
Bara's Simara Chowk became a scene of unrest since Wednesday morning. Not only did a clash occur between UML workers and the Gen-G group, but the airport itself had to be closed. Not only that, a curfew order was issued from 12:30 pm to 8 pm.
Bara Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra says that the situation is being analyzed regarding whether or not to extend the curfew. According to him, the situation is now returning to normal. How did this incident develop? We have tried to explain in five questions and answers what happened around Simara throughout the day and how which groups got involved.
What is the background to the clash outside Simara Airport?
The Madhesh Province Committee of UML's sister organization Yuva Sangh had organized a program in Parwanipur, Bara. UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and leader Mahesh Basnet were scheduled to pass through Simara Airport in Bara to participate in it. After learning that they were coming, the Gen-G group of Simara had been preparing for a protest since the previous day. On Wednesday, the same protest turned into a clash.
How did the incident progress?
To understand how this incident unfolded, we spoke to the District Police Office Bara, Area Police Office Simara, local UML leaders, Gen-G representatives and local eyewitnesses. It seems that Sudhan Gurung, one of the leaders of the Gen-G movement, is also involved in this incident.
Photo courtesy: Sayapatri Online
After the change of power on the strength of the Gen-G rebellion, Gurung had organized the Gen-G group in all seven provinces. Shiv Yadav, the Madhesh Province Coordinator of the same Gen-G group, has said that Bara District Coordinator Samrat Upadhyay was assaulted. Samrat wrote a status on Facebook around 8 am on Tuesday and appealed to everyone to come, saying that a 'peaceful demonstration against the current murderous government' was going to take place.
Local UML leaders were also aware of Samrat's status. Some local leaders of UML even claimed that they had spoken to Samrat on Tuesday itself. On Wednesday morning, some Gen-G youths had gathered at Simara Bazaar near the airport.
A public video shows a man assaulting some youths including Sramat during an argument at the same gathering. After some youths including Sramat were assaulted, other youths are seen trying to enter the airport. The public video shows some youths trying to enter the airport gate and scuffling with the police.
Why did the airport have to be closed and a curfew imposed?
According to Simara Airport Chief Bishnu Prasad Adhikari, UML leaders Shankar Pokharel and Mahesh Basnet were scheduled to land in Simara at 11 am on Buddha Air flight number 553. A clash had broken out outside the main gate of the airport even before the plane took off from Kathmandu. UML workers had gathered around the canteen at the main entrance gate of the airport to welcome the UML leader.
At that time, a clash broke out between the Gen-G group and UML workers who had come from Simara Chowk. Airport employees said that the security situation here had deteriorated after the two groups exchanged bottles. It was decided to close the airport as the security situation deteriorated.
The District Administration Office, Bara, issued a curfew order, saying that the clash could escalate. Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra said that the curfew was issued to prevent damage to government property, officials, employees, government offices and private property and to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
A curfew order has been issued from the Gandak Canal to Pathlaiya road section for 500 meters on the right and left of the highway and 500 meters around Simara Airport.
What happened after the clash?
The police have not yet clearly stated who assaulted the Gen-G youths at Simara Chowk. The injured had filed a complaint against the beating after returning from Simara Hospital after receiving treatment. SP Santosh Tamang, Chief of the District Police Office, Bara, said that a complaint has been filed at the Area Police Office, Simara, alleging that a group of 7/8 people had assaulted them. 'A complaint has been filed, and an investigation is underway to find out who was involved in it,' Tamang said, 'We are also investigating who committed the assault.' According to the police, the complaint mentions that local UML leaders and cadres assaulted them.
What do UML leaders say about the incident, what do the Gen-G group say?
We asked UML Madhesh Province Secretary Manoj Poudel about what happened in the incident. He said that some Gen-G youths had been trying to stop the program since the previous day and that the previous day The ward chairperson and the city chairperson said that they had reminded the Gen-G youths.
He said that they had made the program public 15 days ago and that there was an attempt to disrupt the program. He said that he had heard of an attempt to assault a Gen-G youth at Simara Chowk around 10 am. But he said that he could not say who was involved in it. He said, 'I do not know who beat me.'
Shiva Yadav, the Madhesh Province Coordinator of the Gen-G group led by Sudhan Gurung, claimed that UML people beat me. He said, 'Despite the fact that UML goons came to Simara and insulted, abused and beat my Gen-G friends, some have tried to spread false information.' He said that immediate action should be taken against those involved in the incident.
