Had the security personnel who came in two trucks removed the mob at Mainapokhar, Baridya, the incident that happened on Friday in which a police constable was killed could have been averted, according to a local eyewitness.

A clash ensued between protesters and security personnel after the protesters vented their dissatisfaction with the latter after the security personnel escorted two passenger buses that arrived from Kathmandu.

“This morning cadres of Tharuhat were protesting at Mainapokhar Bazaar as a part of their prescheduled programme. The protest was peaceful without any incident of violence. But at around 7:30, two buses arrived from Kathmandu that were heading to Gulariya, district headquarters of Bardiya, via Nepalgunj. The protestors stopped the vehicles and police intervened after which a lengthy debate ensued between the two sides,” locals said.

The police personnel were requesting to keep the bus safe at Area Police Office, Mainapokhar, but the protesters were contending that the bus should be left on the streets.

“At around 10 am hordes of security personnel came in two trucks and escorted the stranded passenger buses following which the protesters became annoyed and vented their anger at Inspector Khem Raj Rawat,” said the locals.

“We saw a policeman collapse suddenly. We didn’t hear any gunshots. The protesters were arguing with the security personnel but there was no clash. If the additional security personnel had dispersed the crowd, the incident could have been avoided. The needless incident occurred after the police post was left alone.”

After the incident police fired nine shots into the air and dispersed the crowd. But police constable Dev Bahadur Pandey died in the incident. Police is unknown about injuries on the agitators’ side.

A team led by Bardiya District Police Chief Govinda Pariyar conducted investigation of the incident site. Mainapokhar bazaar wore a deserted look following the incident. Police have been looking for the people involved in the incident.