The District Administration (DAO) has continued the curfew at Birtamod in Jhapa district on Saturday as well.

Two persons had died when police opened fire on protesters on Friday.

The DAO said that the curfew had to be continued as the violence could spark further as a protester died in the police firing yesterday.

The DAO on Friday afternoon had clamped the curfew in the area after the situation turned violent following a clash between locals and police personnel.

The clash was ensued after the 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.

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.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday formed a probe committee to look into the matter. The committee will start its work from today itself.

A large number of security personnel have been deployed in and around Birtamod.

Naresh Thapa of Arjudhara-11 was killed in the police firing. The identity of another who was killed in the incident is yet to be ascertained.

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.

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 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.

Chief District Officer Rishi Ram Tiwari, Chief at the Mechi Zonal Police Office SSP Pitambar Adhiarki, SP Bishnu KC, former lawmaker Prem Giri and Mayor of Birtamod Dhruba Shiwakot among others are holding discussions to resolve the issue promptly.

DSP Raj Kumar Silwal of the Area Police Office, Birtamod, has put forth a proposal to provide proper compensation to the victims’ family and vowed to take action against the perpetrators.