The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the government to investigate into the Rangeli incident and bring the culprits to justice.

At least three people—Dropadi Devi Chaudhary, 60, of Rangeli-4, Mahadev Rishidev of Bardanga-2 and Shibu Majhi—were killed in police firing on Thursday when cadres of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha attempted to disrupt a programme organised by the CPN-UML’s youth wing Youth Association Nepal (YAN).

“It is a serious violation of established international human rights and citizens’ right to assemble peacefully, and their right to life,” the NHRC stated on Friday.

Expressing serious concerns over the incident, the rights watchdog urged the parties concerned to resolve the existing crisis through dialogue. The commission asked the government to provide due compensation to the victims’ families.

Meanwhile, rights organisations have also expressed their concerns over the incident. The Informal Sector Service Centre has demanded judicial probe into the incident. In a statement, Insec demanded legal action against the perpetrators

and relief for the bereaved families.

Expressing serious concerns over “growing intolerance and undemocratic practices”, the Accountability Watch Committee urged the government and the agitating parties to exercise restraint.

The Asian Human Rights Commission urged the security agencies to refrain from using excessive force against the protesters, while asking the agitators to maintain restraint.

Condemning the deaths and police accesses, the Terai Human Rights Defenders Alliance demanded probe into the incident.