KATHMANDU: Supreme Court today issued an interim order in response to a writ petition filed by Bismillah Khatun against the use of excessive and lethal force by security personnel.

The petitioner said in her petition that the police have been using lethal force on protesters in the Tarai districts. “This violates their right to life,” she argued. Khatun filed the case after her husband Zakir Hussain received bullet injuries to his neck in police firing in Birgunj recently.

Advocate Dipendra Jha, who pleaded on behalf of the petitioner, said his client filed the writ petition as police were using lethal force against protesters violating national and international laws.

“The Local Administration Act has set the guidelines for use of force. As per this Act, the police cannot open fire indiscriminately. First, they should use water cannons, batons and tear gas to control the crowd,” he said, adding that if the police have to open fire, they should only shoot below the waist.

Prime Minister, Office of the Council of Ministers, Ministry of Home Affairs, Parliament Secretariat, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Police Headquarters and National Human Rights Commission have been made defendants in the petition.