SURKHET: Gyanendra Shahi, a social activist, has accused the government of attacking him ruthlessly.

He has made such allegations while speaking in a live video through a social networking site, Facebook.

“We were assaulted by pro-government people by setting a plan,” he said, adding, “Surkhet police are lying.” On the other hand, police have been saying that the incident was not an attack but a scuffle.

DSP Ram Prasad Gharti, information officer at the District Police Office, Surkhet, said, “A group was coming to Birendranagar. We met at Khaharekhola in Birendranagar at around 11 pm yesterdy. Then a scuffle took place between the two groups.”

Gharti further said that five locals have been taken under the control in connection with the incident. Details of those arrested have not been revealed.

It is said that Gyanendra Shahi has come to Surkhet to distribute relief materials. The locals said that the clash took place after the locals protested saying that they had entered the village during the prohibitory order.

More than 12 people were injured on both sides in the clash. His condition is normal and he has been treated at the Provincial Hospital.

In the video posted on social media, Shahi said that he and his team including Krishna Pandey, Tilak Basnet, Nitu Khadka, Lok Bahadur Rokaya, Rajesh Mahat, Shant Sharma, Sita Acharya, Khagendra Bajgain, and Mahesh BC sustained injuries in the clash.