Biratnagar, Nepal (AHN) - Two protesters were killed in clashes with policemen during violent demonstrations, organized by Madheshee groups on Wednesday in Biratnagar, a major city of south-east Nepal.

Police said at least 16 protesters and 22 policemen were also injured during the clash, which took place at Singhiya Khola bridge of Biratnagar.

The clashes occurred as armed protesters hurled petrol bombs and spears at the police officers on duty in defiance of the curfew orders, clamped by the District Administration Office (DAO) Biratnagar effective from 11am.

Those killed have been identified as Tallu Hasada of Siswani Village Development Committee and Nirmal Rajbanshi of Kathari Village Development Committee, the nearby villages.

The police said the agitators attacked the policemen in an attempt to storm a prison, where Badri Prasad Mandal, a Madheshee leader and former minister in the king's cabinet, and Indian criminal Pappu Yadav have been kept. Mandal was arrested on charge of provoking the Madheshee movement of southern Nepal.

Following the incident, the DAO in Biratnagar extended the curfew order for indefinite period.

The local administration in Malangwa, the district headquarters of Sarlahi, a southern district, also clamped a fresh curfew effective from 9am to 6pm on Wednesday.