As per the strategic security plan, the local authority had deployed the Nepal Police personnel and the APF at the site since early morning to prevent any untoward incidents. Neither the security agencies nor the locals in the area had imagined that things would take such a ghastly turn.
According to Home Ministry Spokesperson Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, the brutal and insane attack on their commanders and the use of weapons by protesters, which was unexpected, not only confused the security forces but also shook their confidence.
"Nepal Police and APF suffered huge loss by failing to assess possible threats," said Joint Secretary Dhakal. Nepal Police SSP Laxman Neupane and SP Laxman Singh were deployed in view of demonstrations demanding an autonomous Tharuhat province in the new federal setup, including Kailali and Kanchanpur of Far-western region in the province.
"The protesters surrounded the police personnel from all sides and overwhelmed them with domestic weapons," said the DIG Kamal Singh Bam, who is police spokesperson.
Had there been prior information about the preparation to attack security personnel, we would not have suffered such casualties, said DIG Bam, adding that security forces made a mistake by being overconfident about their ability to control mob.
The irate mob dragged the policemen from their base, forcing others to maintain distance. Some protesters hurled stones at the policemen.
A few minutes later, the police fired teargas to disperse the agitators, but by then several members of the police force were killed brutually, while others were severely injured. One policeman was set on fire alive, while others were stabbed to death, the Nepal Police said.
The protestors confronted the police personnel at Tikapur. As situation turned tense following a clash, the police fired a few rounds of tear gas canisters to disperse the irate crowd. As situation grew out of control, the police fired few rounds of bullet in the air.
The security agencies are looking into the possibility of infiltration by protesters from India as one of reasons for the violence. "Normally, protestors do not act so brutally. They can never burn a man alive," the police said.
But we are yet to establish the actual cause of excessive use of force by the agitating mob.
The government has decided to deploy Nepal Army (NA) at riot zones in different parts of the country. "Now our strategy will change as per the situation," Spokesperson Dhakal said.
The police had been ordered to remain calm and use minimum force to control mobs to avoid hurting protesters.
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