Birgunj, September 3

Though three days have passed after five demonstrators died following a clash with security personnel, normalcy is yet to return in Birgunj, Parsa.

Life has been hit hard due to continuous bandh and curfew in one of the major business hubs of the country. People have been badly affected due to the shutdown for the past 19 days, declaration of prohibitory area and the ongoing curfew imposed for the last four days. However, no violent incident has taken place since Tuesday, when at least five demonstrators were killed and two dozen people sustained injuries.

The local security agency had managed security for cargo trucks to transport everyday essentials to Kathmandu and other major cities of the country. But the local people have started facing crisis due to scarcity of everyday essentials. As many as 98 cargo trucks were escorted to Kathmandu, said Chief District Officer Keshav Raj Ghimire.

The curfew clamped for the past four days was lifted for two hours from 5:00pm to 7:00pm in Birgunj, said Assistant Chief District Officer Anuj Bhandari. The curfew order will come into effect from 7:00pm for indefinite period, said Bhandari.

The locals were terrified by a suspicious object placed near the Area Police Office in Nagawa today afternoon.

National Human Rights Commission representatives have intensified their inquiry and investigation into the killings. NHRC interacted with agitating Madhesi forces, mediapersons and other stakeholders.

NHRC representative Dinesh Tripathi demanded action against police personnel for use of excessive force to suppress the agitating cadres. Attention of the local administration was drawn regarding the misbehaviour of security personnel against local mediapersons in the course of reporting during curfew hours.