Four suspects arrested

Demonstrators resort to arson

Civil society members call for communal harmony

District chief officials replaced

DHANGADHI, Aug 26: Police on Tuesday arrested four persons on suspicion of their involvement in the killings in Kailali district on Monday, according to SP Bikram Chand.

"We have arrested four suspects in connection with the killings of seven security personnel and a two-year child in Kailali. Their names have been kept a secret for security reasons," said SP Chand.

A central member of UCPN (Maoist) Birbhan Chaudhary, one of the leaders of Tharuhat protest, claimed that police arrested the four persons from their homes.

Two of the arrested are Hariram Chaudhary and Raj Kumar Chaudhary, while the names of the other two have yet to be ascertained, he said. Kailali remains tense following the incident on Monday.

Defying the curfew in Tikapur on Tuesday, a group demanding undivided far-west set ablaze the house of lawmaker Janak Chaudhary of Madhesi People's Rights Forum (Democratic) in Tikapur Municipality-6. Likewise, they also set ablaze Fulbari FM radio station belonging to Resham Chaudhary. The fire was doused by security forces. Apart from the two houses, the irate group also set on fire some 40 shops in Tikapur market, claimed Lahuram Chaudhary, chief of Tharu Kalyankari Sabha.

Locals have accused the administration and security agencies of not taking any action even as demonstrators set on fire private houses and other buildings. Following the carnage, the district has been declared "riot-hit zone." Over 200 Nepal Army personnel have been mobilized in the district, informed CDO Mohan Chapagain.

Meanwhile, civil society leaders have stressed on maintaining social harmony in the district. "The Tikapur incident has already stoked communal hostility. Hence, efforts must be taken to maintain social harmony," said Dil Bahadur Chaudhary, president of Tharu civil society. "Political parties should exercise patience and seek a solution from the top political leadership."

Rejig at district level

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday recalled CDO, chief of Far-Western Police Office and chief of Armed Police Force in Kailali, accusing them of failing to carry out their duties and to maintain law and order.

The ministry has replaced CDO Raj Kumar Shrestha with Mohan Chapagain. Likewise, Chief of Far-Western Police Office DIG Ram Kumar Khanal was replaced by DIG Madhav Nepal and Chief of Armed Police Force Sadananda Chaudhary by DIG Suraj Bahadur Shrestha.

Similarly, the ministry also posted Dinesh Amatya in place of the deceased SSP.