Himal Press 
Nepali Congress leader Yadav and the vehicle he was riding.
KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Harinandan Ray Yadav was attacked in Sarlahi on Tuesday evening in what appears to be a politically motivated assault.
The incident occurred near the Bagdah Sugar Mill when Yadav was returning to Ramnagar from the district headquarters, Malangwa.
Yadav, who previously contested for the chairmanship of Ramnagar Rural Municipality, claimed that assailants fired shots at his vehicle. In a social media post, he alleged that three vehicles chased him and opened fire near the sugar mill. “I was returning home from Malangwa in my vehicle. Three vehicles followed me for about two to three kilometers,” Yadav wrote. “In a deserted stretch, they blocked my vehicle, attacked it with sticks and rods, and shattered the windows. Two individuals fired shots from a pistol.”
He further stated that when he did not get out of the vehicle, a group of 12–13 individuals pushed it off the road and into a nearby field. Yadav alleged that the attackers were relatives of Maoist leader Shivapujan Yadav.
“Shivapujan’s people attacked me with the intent to kill,” he said. “I recognized several of them. I urge the police to arrest those involved.”
Birendra Prasad Singh, Vice President of NC’s Madhesh Province Committee and Provincial Parliamentary Party Leader, backed Yadav’s claims, confirming that the attackers were relatives of Maoist leader Shivapujan Yadav. Stating that the group chased and attacked Yadav, he demanded immediate legal action for the culprits.
Although NC leader Yadav and Maoist leader Shivapujan are related, locals say a longstanding political rivalry has existed between them.
Meanwhile, the District Police Office, Sarlahi, has launched an investigation into the incident. According to DSP Saroj Rai, initial findings based on local accounts confirm that Yadav’s vehicle was chased by two other vehicles. “The vehicle carrying Harinandan Ray Yadav was found overturned in a field with broken windows. Both Yadav and his driver sustained minor injuries,” DSP Rai said.
Although Yadav has claimed that shots were fired, police say they cannot confirm shots were fired yet as they are still investigating the incident.
DSP Rai said that the suspects have been identified. “We have identified two individuals involved in the incident. A search operation is underway to arrest them,” he added.
