Rautahat, August 25

A youth was killed when police opened fire on agitators in a riot-hit zone in Gaur, the district headquarters of Rautahat, today.

The police personnel opened fire when hundreds of demonstrators entered the riot-hit zone. The deceased has been identified as Raj Kishor Thakur, 24, of Mahulita Tole of Mathiya VDC, Rautahat. Thakur was hit in the chest and succumbed to injuries while being rushed to Birgunj for treatment, said DSP Sudhirraj Shahi of Rautahat d police office.

After indefinite Tarai Madhes bandh called by United Democratic Madhesi Front to protest draft statute and seven-province model took an ugly turn, Rautahat DAO declared 42-km road section from Gaur to Chandranigahapur riot-hit area at 10:00pm last night and deployed the Nepali Army there.

The district security committee, chaired by CDO Madan Bhujel, had requested Nepali Army’s Gaur-based Shree Box Battalion to take the situation under control in Gaur. CDO Bhujel said Nepali Army had been deployed to Garuda, Shivnagar, Sukdev Chowk, Bhediyahi and Jhunkhuwa areas to bring the situation under control.

The DAO has banned the gathering of five or more people in riot-hit zone. Bhujel said security forces were authorised to arrest people without any warrant and could shoot anyone involved in vandalism or arson.

Last night, agitators had set an ambulance on fire claiming that it was carrying tear gas shells for the security forces.