Two killed in police firing in Saptari: State in a bind enforces curfew

Online Khabar
Saptari, November 22. In shots that are sure to resonate and put police in a tight spot, two people died and several sustained injuries on Saturday night when cops opened fire on United Democratic Madheshi Front protesters, who were enforcing a shutdown of the East-West Highway, in Bhardaha and Rupani, Saptari district.
Hundreds of protesters had descended on the road sections in Bharadaha, Rupani and a number of places along the highway to shut the artery at the call of the UDMF.

Police used force when the shutdown continued late into the night. Police identified the Bhardaha victim, who died on the spot due to chest injuries, as 15-year-old Biren Ram and the Rupani victim as 30-year-old Nageshwor Yadav. Protesters have accused police of using indiscriminate force in the name of removing highway obstructions. Police opened fire as if they were exploding firecrackers during Dipawali, a protester said. Around 12 people sustained injuries in the police action in Bhardaha.

In the police action in Rupani, Nageshwor Yadav of Chhapaki Tole, Jamuni Madhepura VDC-9. Yadav had sustained injuries in course of the police action and died on the way to Rajbiraj-based Gajendra Narayan Singh Sagarmatha zonal hospital. Ten people have sustained bullet wounds in Rupani. Of the injured, Fuleshwor Mandal, Shatrughna Ray, Bhuvaneshwor Belchan and Ram Chandra Yadav are in critical conditions.

Meanwhile, police and protesters clashed at Bisanpur Chok, injuring around 12 people, including former minister Mrigendra Yadav.

After the midnight incidents, Saptari district administration has imposed curfew in several parts of Saptari, including district headquarters Rajbiraj, Bhardaha and Rupani.