National
Gaur under curfew after violent protests
Dozens of people were injured on Monday as violent protests continued in several parts of the country.Dozens of people were injured on Monday as violent protests continued in several parts of the country.
Rautahat remained tense due to sporadic clashes between protesters and security personnel at Gaur where at least 30 people were injured.
The clashes erupted after the supporters of Samyuktya Loktantrik Madheshi Morcha and Samyukta Sanghiya Madheshi Morcha tried to reach District Administration Office, District Court and District Land Revenue Office. As the protesters started vandalising the government offices, police fired about a dozen warning shots into the air and lobbed hundreds of tear gas canisters to take the situation under control.
The protesters also torched an ambulance at BP Chok on Monday evening. Anil Kumar Singh, a protester said around 30 protesters were injured in the clashes. Two of the injured, Satyandra Mahato, 35, of Gaur-2 and Kariman Mahato of Gaur-10, are in critical condition, he said.
SP Pradhumna Karki said five security personnel, including a police inspector, have been injured in the clash.
Local administration imposed curfew in Gaur and its vicinity from 4:30pm on Monday to 5am on Tuesday in view of possible clashes. Assistant CDO Ramraj Subedi said they will deploy Nepal Army (NA) soldiers if the situation gets violent. “We can deploy the NA soldiers depending upon the situation,” he said.
In Sarlahi, the protesters of Samyukta Loktantrik Madheshi Morcha were also seen with sharp weapons and sticks in the district headquarters. CDO of Sarlahi informed that they will also deploy NA soldiers if the situation goes out of hand.
In Morang, two unidentified persons exploded an improvised explosive device at MM Plastic Industry at Biratnagar-17 on Sunday night.
The protesters of Samyukta Madhesi Morcha and various indigenous parties vandalised a van at Gaushala in Mahottari, while supporters of Rastriya Madhesh Samajbadi Party held demonstration in Jaleshwor demanding areas upto the Chure.
In Rukum, nine protesters and three security personnel were injured in the clash at district headquarters. The protesters are demanding that Rukum district be incorporated in Province 5. District Police Office informed that the protesters also have torched the police beat at Pushpalal Chok in Musikot.
Madhesi leaders reiterate refusal to sit in table
BIRTAMOD: Leaders of agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madheshi Morcha refused to come to the negotiating table to resolve disputed issues on Monday. The leaders said that indefinite Tarai banda would continue unless the past agreements are incorporated in the constitution.
“There is no meaning in negotiating with the government until the constitution draft will be amended to address the voice of Madhes,” said the leaders of Madhesh-based parties. Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had on Sunday called the agitating parties for dialogue to discuss their grievances about the new constitution.
Schools to open in Dang
DANG: The schools reopened in the district after the Tharuhat Struggle Committee issued a press statement to open schools from Tuesday. Tejman Chaudhary, coordinator of the committee, said they decided to resume classes after the schools were closed for two weeks. Students have been protesting
against the banda, demanding the reopening of schools. Likewise, the transport entrepreneurs also requested the committee to allow them to run vehicles.
(With inputs from our local correspondents)
NHRC team to take stock
The National Human Rights Commission has decided to send a monitoring team to Tikapur, Kailali, to assess the situation there. At least eight people have been confirmed dead and several others were injured in a clash between protesters and police on Monday.
A team led by Commissioner Sudip Pathak will leave for Tikapur to take stock. An emergency meeting of the commission on Monday also urged both the sides to exercise restraint.