LAHAN, July 17: Saptari district headquarters Rajbiraj remained tense almost throughout Friday as locals at Itahari Bishnupur staged demonstrations against the killing of one Akhilendra Yadav. [break]
The district administration clamped an indefinite curfew starting noon after locals started vandalizing government offices and staging demonstrations to protest the killing of Yadav, 25, by Armed Police Force (APF) personnel.
According to Chief District Officer (CDO) Ram Bilash Yadav, curfew has been enforced in Rajbiraj Municipality and over 200 meters on either side of the canal in Itahari Bishnupur area, in view of possible untoward incidents.
At least three persons were injured when an APF patrol opened fire after locals at Itahari Bishnupur clashed with them over the seizure of chemical fertilizers imported illegally from a nearby Indian town.
While Yadav died on the spot, two others seriously injured in the gunfire-Suresh Yadav and Narendra Mehta of Itahari Bishnupur-are currently undergoing treatment. Locals alleged that Narendra Prasad Yadav, Dipu Kumar Yadav and Brita Nanda Sah were also injured, in police beatings.
The agitating locals at Itahari Bishnupur vandalized and torched the citizenship section of Saptari District Administration Office (DAO) even during curfew hours. Agitators also broke almost all the window panes at the DAO building.
The agitators burnt tires in various parts of Rajbiraj and forced businesses to shut. They have vandalized the District Forest Office, the Appellate Court and the District Agriculture Office.
At least two government vehicles including one belonging to the APF were vandalized in course of the protests, according to District Police Office, Saptari.
Locals at Itahari Bishnupur have announced that they will continue with the protest until the government meets their demands.
Among other things, the agitating locals have demanded that the government declare Yadav a martyr, and also sought the resignation of Home Minister Bhim Rawal and action against CDO Yadav and the district unit chiefs of the Nepal Police and APF.
Police said they were forced to open fire as the locals attempted to loot their weapons. However, the locals maintain that police opened fire even through it was just a minor altercation.
Local political parties and kin of the deceased Yadav have announced closure of all government offices in the district, other than those providing emergency services, in protest of the killing.
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