Sunsari, September 21

The body of Khursid Alam of Sunsari, Harinagara, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen from India yesterday, was taken to Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences for post-mortem today.

Meanwhile, the home ministry has set up a five-member probe committee to investigate the murder . The committee headed by SSP Kishor Dahal of Province 1 and has been given a week to submit its report.

The body was allowed to be taken for autopsy following an agreement with Alam’s family, as per which the authorities will recommend to the centre martyr’s status to Alam and compensation for his family.

It has been learnt that the agreement was reached in the presence of district-based security chiefs and Chief District Officer of Sunsari Prem Prakash Upreti, who has pledged to mobilise the security mechanism to arrest the murderer(s). A team of Central Investigation Bureau has arrived in Sunsari to investigate the case.

In the wake of the murder yesterday, the locals had hit the streets since early morning today, putting forward a number of demands.

Alam, 50, the owner and principal of local Reyan National School, was shot dead at 11:00am yesterday by four men from India who were riding two motorbikes with Indian number plates near Bhutaha in Harinagar-2 while Alam was heading home. Shot in the head and chest, he died on the spot.

Constable Shivalal Poudel was also injured when he tried to stop gunmen from shooting. He is being treated at the BPKIHS.

On locals’ allegation that the murderers fled the scene owing to weakness on the part of police, DIG Kedar Rijal said whether there were lapses would only be confirmed only after the investigation committee submitted its report.

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