Dozens injured in Nepal charter protests

Clashes between police and hundreds of demonstrators left dozens injured in central and southern Nepal yesterday during protests about the draft of a long-awaited new constitution, an opposition leader said.

Lawmakers tabled the draft in parliament last month after bickering parties struck an historic deal to divide the country into eight provinces, paving the way for a new federal structure.

The parties were spurred by April's devastating earthquake to reach agreement on the charter.