Over 30 people of the Armed Police Force Personnel and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) ( CPN-M) members have been injured when the two sides clashed after the Maoists tried to seize equipment and logistics being imported from India for riot control purposes.

Maoist members tried to seize the three truckloads of goods on suspicion that the government might have been importing weapons against the peace agreement, the National News Agency RSS reported on Tuesday.

According to the RSS, at least 10 Armed Police Force personnel were injured in the clash Monday night. The two sides also exchanged bricks and stones.

After the incident, Maoists vandalized and torched five police beats, a jeep and a bus in Butwal, some 300 km west of Kathmandu, said the report.

The mob also attacked two Nepal Police personnel while the latter were taking part in running exercise. The cops are reportedly seriously injured.

The Maoist also called a bandh in Rupandehi, Kapilvastu and Nawalparasi districts till 5 P.M. (1215 GMT) Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2008)