Violent protests continued in various places in Rautahat and Sarlahi districts on Monday. Three police posts and some government offices were vandalised and torched in the two districts.

The agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) staged demonstration in Gaur, the district headquarters of Rautahat, defying curfew throughout the day. The demonstrations turned violent after a local student was killed in police firing in Gaur on Sunday.

The local administration had lifted curfew for 4 hours on Monday morning, keeping in view of shopping and ongoing bachelor’s level examinations.  

Chief District Officer of Rautahat Narahari Baral said that the curfew was clamped due to the critical situation.

The SLMM supporters burnt tyres at BP Chowk, Transformer Chowk, Barhawapul Chowk, Kabir Chowk, and Tikuliya Chowk. They demanded that 18-year-old Sheikh Tabarej, who was killed in police firing on Sunday, be declared a martyr.

Students vandalised and torched three police posts protesting the death of Tabarej. The enraged students, wielding sticks, vandalised the compound wall and burnt tyres in front of Katariya Area Police Office. They were barred from entering the police station, though. The enraged students also attacked Bankul police post. Students also picketed Ganga Pipara Police Office and chanted slogans against police suppression.  

In Sarlahi district, the SLMM supporters torched government offices to protest the arrest of Ashok Yadav, district chairman of Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum Nepal. Police had arrested Yadav and other leaders affiliated to the SLMM for their alleged involvement in vandalism of passport department at District Administration Office. Though they were released in the evening, Yadav was again arrested hours after he was released.

DSP Ramesh Khadka said Yadav was taken into custody on public offence charge.

Police fired several rounds of bullets into the air and lobbed tear gas shells to contain the situation. The protesters also picketed the District Administration Office. They also hurled Molotov cocktail at district court. The SLMM organised a press meet in Rupandehi district where its leaders demanded the district administration to lift the prohibitory order imposed in Bhairahawa and to release the arrested cadres.

Sit-in at Birgunj-Raxaul crossing reaches 90 days

Bhusan Yadav (Birgunj)

The sit-in organised by the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) at the no-man’s-land of Birgunj-Raxaul border reached 90 days on Monday.

Birgunj border is the major trade point between the two countries. Around 70 percent of overland cargoes enter from the border point.

Birgunj Customs Office used to collect a monthly revenue of around Rs 9.5 billion. After the blockade the revenue collection has gone down drastically, officials said.

According to the international laws, no one can stage demonstrations or organise sit-ins at no-man’s-land. After the tension in Birgunj border, Indian authorities reached Miteri bridge and discussed with the Morcha leaders. Indian authorities also assured to help Morcha leaders in the protest activities.

Knowing how much Birgunj-Raxaul border point is economically important for the country, the SLMM has been obstructing the movement of cargoes from the crossing since the last week of September.

Although there are few protesters staging sit-in at the border point in the recent days, local SLMM leader Krishna Patel said they are more than enough to obstruct the cargoes.