Tension had flared at the DAO premises after police used force to disperse the demonstrators, who were shouting slogans at the main gate of the DAO. [break]
At first, the security officers deployed at the DAO tried to chase away the demonstrators. After the latter refused to leave the place, more police personnel arrived at the site and used force on the protestors. The additional force led by DSP Arun Kumar Sah of the District Police Office detained around 50 agitating Kamlaris and released them after two hours.
Earlier, during the scuffle at the gate of the District Administration Office, Manjita Chaudhary, Sita Chaudhary and Amrita Chaudhary had become unconscious. The police had arrested Manjita even though she had already fainted and collapsed.
The three unconscious protestors were taken to Rapti Sub-regional Hospital for medical treatment. All three regained consciousness after two hours, according to the hospital.
Likewise, Gyanu Thapa was injured in police intervention. She has received injuries to her face. She is also undergoing treatment at the sub-regional
hospital.
The agitating former Kamlaris had been organizing sit-in inside the DAO from May 31. After the police brutally attacked former Kamlaris in the protest against the government in Kathmandu on Sunday, the agitating former Kamlaris in Dang staged sit-in at the main gate of the DAO from early morning on Monday chanting slogans against police brutality.
Work at the DAO remained affected throughout the day on Monday due to the protest.
The Kamlaris have been demanding investigation into several mysterious deaths of former Kamlaris in various parts of the country and punishment against the guilty and rehabilitation package for all former Kamlaris.
Ex-Kamlaris call ‘indefinite’ Tarai shutdown
Protesting Sunday’s crackdown on their protest by police outside Singha Durbar, a joint struggle committee for abolition of Kamlari tradition has decided to enforce an indefinite general shutdown in all Tarai districts from Tuesday. At a press conference held in Kathmandu, the committee also said it will withdraw the strike only after the government fulfills the demands.
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