The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) has said it will not receive the bodies of those killed in Thursday’s police firing in Rangeli and Dayaniya unless the government addresses its five-point demand.

Organising a press meet in Biratnagar on Saturday, the SLMM demanded martyr status for the deceased and compensation for the bereaved families. The Madhesi Morcha has also sought action against the Chief District Officer and the police chiefs in the district.

The SLMM demanded that Parshuram Basnet, central secretary of the CPN-UML wing Youth Association Nepal (YAN), be brought to book alleging that he had ordered his supporters to attack Sadbhawana Party central member Dilip Dhadewa in Biratnagar.

CDO Toyam Raya said an all-party meeting on Sunday would discuss the Rangeli incident before the bodies are handed over to the bereaved families.

Meanwhile, the SLMM staged demonstrations in Biratnagar to protest the killings. They took out a protest rally from Mahavirchowk and went around the city. 

Mahato in Rangeli Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato reached Rangeli on Saturday to meet the bereaved family members. 

Three persons died in police firing in Rangeli on Thursday during a clash between Morcha cadres and the security personnel. Morcha supporters had tried to disrupt a programme organised by the YAN.

After meeting the families, Mahato said the government was indifferent to Madhesis’ concerns. He accused the government of trying to suppress the Madhes agitation. 

Morcha bars events by three parties 

BIRGUNJ: The SLMM has barred three major parties from organising programmes in Bara and Parsa districts effective from Saturday. Morcha district leaders decided to prohibit the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the UCPN (Maoist) from organising public programmes. In the past, SLMM supporters have obstructed the rallies organised by the NC and the UML and vandalised their local party offices. The SLMM activists shut Birgunj and its vicinity on Saturday against “police brutality’ in Rangeli.