Nine die in clash with pro-statehood protesters

Hundreds of security forces patrolled an area of western Nepal on Tuesday where ethnic protesters, demanding statehood, attacked police with spears and knives a day earlier, leaving at least six officers and three protesters dead and many others injured.

A curfew was imposed and policemen and soldiers were rushed to Tikapur, 400 kilometers west of Kathmandu, where the clashes occurred on Monday.

Government administrator Raj Kumar Shrestha said authorities were in control of the town and surrounding areas and there were no protests or reports of curfew violations.