The indefinite banda enforced by the people in Jumla district, calling for a separate Karnali state, is turning violent by the day.

Defying the curfew orders, the banda supporters flooded the streets in Khalanga, the district headquarters, and clashed with security personnel on Monday, the ninth day of the agitation.

Three protesters were injured by the bullets fired by security personnel. The protesters then set fire to the District Police Office, the Agriculture Research Centre, and the District Plant Resources Office. They also barred security forces from putting out the fire. Sub Inspector of Nepal Police Bishnuhari Koirala said they could not save the burning offices because the protesters had blocked all access.

As the situation continued spiral out of control, the Nepal Army troops were mobilised to restore calm and order. Meanwhile, the local leaders have accused security personnel of targeting the demonstrators while firing bullets during Sunday’s protest.

Representatives of 11 political parties in the district issued a joint press statement on Monday, demanding the government to probe into the incident take action against the guilty officers.

Authorities in Jumla have clamped indefinite curfew in Khalanga and ordered the security personnel to shoot the curfew violators. In spite of the prohibitory orders, the people took to the streets on Monday.

Protests were also held outside Khalanga. In Kudari VDC, the protesters stormed the local police office, VDC office and post office and torched their signboards. They also put up the banners reading “Karnali Autonomous State” outside these offices.

Protests were also organised in Mugu, Humla, Dolpa, and Jajarkot districts. In Surkhet, the families of Tikaram Gautam, Yam Bahadur BC and Gopal Singh Rajawar, who were killed during protest in Birendranagar eight days ago, received the bodies and performed their funeral.