Two protesters have died and 23 injured in  police firing in Saptari late on Saturday night.  The violence broke out after Police  tried to remove protesters from highway who had gathered in Vardah and Rupani to obstruct the movement of police escorted vehicles. An indefinite curfew has been imposed in the area since 6 am on Sunday.

The curfew order has been issued after yesterday’s altercation between the protesters and the police where two protesters died after being shot at. Likewise, 17 protesters and 25 Police personnel were also injured of them five protesters and two policemen are reported to be in serious condition.

On Saturday night, Police and protesters clashed at Bhardaha and Rupani in the district after the former tried to remove the protesters from obstructing the highway. The protesters who were around 2500 in number started pelting stones at the security personnel which led to the altercation, said Saptari District Police Office Chief, Bhim Dhakal.

“We had to use force to disperse the mob of protesters after they inadvertently started attacking the security personnel with homemade weapons,” said Dhakal, “In Bhardaha, cross firing occurred as shots were fired from the protesters side and in response we fired shots in the air and shells of tear gas.”