Curfew in Morang localities after tipper-truck kills child

Published On: January 28, 2019 02:18 PM NPT By: Binod Subedi

A tipper truck torched by locals in Sundarharaincha of Morang on Monday afternoon after a tipper truck hit a child in the morning killing her instantly. Eleven-year-old Laxmi Dhakal was hit by a speeding tipper truck while she was cross the road. Later the locals set fire to seven tipper trucks including the one that hit the girl. The administration imposed a curfew from 11 am to 8 pm. Photo: Binod Subedi/Republica

BIRATNAGAR, Jan 29: Following the death of a girl who was mowed down by a tipper-truck at Sundar Haraincha-9 of Morang district on Monday morning, the District Administration Office imposed a curfew from 11 am to contain surging protests and agitations by the locals. The curfew was lifted at 8 pm.

Laxmi Dhakal, 11, was killed when a tipper-truck (Na 3 Kha 3355) en route to Biratnagar from Biratchowk hit her while she was crossing the road. She died on the spot. District Police Office Morang said the truck was speeding at the time.

The tipper-truck tried to escape after hitting the child but it crashed into a tree at Belpur Chowk. Irate locals set the truck on fire and also started torching all other tipper-trucks on the road. Six other tipper-trucks were burnt down.

Following the incident, locals along Belpur and Sisaughari took to the street in demonstrations. They demanded an end to ‘tipper-truck terror’.

As the protests grew more violent, the local administration clamped an indefinite curfew at 11 am in the areas between Biratchowk and Belepur.

An all-party meeting was held the same day at Sundar Haraicha. The participants included family members of the deceased child, the local administration, town residents and local representatives of political parties.

The meeting decided to ban tipper-trucks along the Biratchowk-Biratnagar road section, provide appropriate compensation to the bereaved family and track down the driver of the killer truck, among other things, informed Manoj KC, chief of the DPO. A seven-point agreement has been reached with the family of the deceased.