The violent situation in Birtamod of Jhapa has been gradually limping back to normalcy following an agreement between the District Administration Office (DAO) and protesters on Saturday afternoon.

The situation in Birtamod has turned from bad to worse after police intervened a protest rally organised by locals demanding action against three people arrested on the charge of murdering 11-year-old Laxman Siwakoti in Arjundhara on September 30.

According to the agreement, the DAO has decided to provide Rs 1 million compensation to the family of Naresh Thapa who was killed in the police firing on Friday, provide permanent job to the deceased’s wife at Arjundhara Municipality and arrange free education to their six-month-old baby.

DSP Raj Kumar Silwal of the District Police Office, Jhapa, said that plans are afoot to register a complaint at the court by investigating the death of Siwakoti.

The DAO has continued the curfew today as well keeping in mind that the violence could spark further following the death of a person in police firing.

Siwakoti, who had gone missing on the day of Dashain Tika, was found dead the next day. His body was recovered from the bush at Bisawadi of Birtamod-1.

The curfew was imposed from 1:30 pm yesterday until further notice.

Following the curfew order, Birtamod area has worn a deserted look. Vehicular movement along the East-West Highway has come to a grinding halt.

Vehicles of diplomatic missions, ambulances, media and essential services are also barred from plying the roads.

Mani Nepali of Danawari, Ilam, was critically injured in the incident. He sustained bullets in the stomach, hands and back.

He was referred to the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences after his treatment was not possible at the B & C Hospital.

Sunil Pandey, 18, of Rajgadh-8, Purna Luintel, 35, of Arjundhara-6, Ashok Basnet, 30, of Mechinagar-9 and Nawaraj Koirala, 22, of Durgapur-5 were injured in the police firing.

The kith and kin of deceased have accused the Area Police Office, Birtamod, of trying to protect the murderers.

The deceased’s uncle Bishnu Prasad Shiwakot had registered an FIR against Suresh Pokharel of Birtamod-5 and eight members of his family for murdering the boy.