The Supreme Court issued an interim order to not to use lethal weapons to control the ongoing protests in several Tarai districts.

A division bench of Justice Baidhyanath Upadhyay and Justice Dipakraj Joshi on Tuesday ruled that the government should safeguard the people’s right to live.

On September 3, Rakshyaram Chamar, on behalf of Bismilah Khatun, wife of Jakar Husain who was injured in police firing during a protest in Birgunj, had filed a writ seeking ban on use of weapons and force by security personnel against protesters.

The writ claimed that security forces were opening fire at the protesters with the intent of killing them without even issuing a warning. It also presented the cases of Rajiv Raut and Raj Kishor Thakur who were shot dead by security personnel during protests in Sarlahi and Rautahat districts.

A recent field monitor conducted by the Terai Human Rights Defenders Alliance of the riot-stricken areas had found that security personnel were shooting the protesters in their heads and chests, though the Act specifically mentions that security forces should aim their shots below the knees.

Over 40 people, including nine security personnel, have died since August 10 in protests against the proposed federal delineation.