Kathmandu, November 23

Seven lawmakers of Nepali Congress issued a press release demanding probe into killings of protesters in police firing on Saturday and yesterday in Saptari district.

These lawmakers said the government, instead of addressing the grievances of the agitating forces, had shown the behaviour of terrorists vis-à-vis protesters and brutally killed them. The lawmakers said the killing of protesters was a serious violation of human rights.

The seven lawmakers demanded action against the guilty and compensation for the families of the victims.

The seven NC lawmakers who issued the release are: Teju Lal Chaudhari, Saptari-5; Sakaldev Sutihar, Saptari; Ram Ayodhya Prasad Yadav, Bara-1; Amresh Kumar Singh, Sarlahi-6; Dinesh Prasad Prasaila Yadav, Dhanusha-1; Ganesh Mandal, Siraha-6; and Buddhisagar Chaudhari, Kailali.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress demanded a probe into the shooting deaths of its active member Dilip Kumar Sah, 42, of Saptari.

Sah took the bullet in police firing yesterday when he was sitting on the roof of his house. The NC issued a press release today demanding stringent punishment for the guilty. The party urged the government to be sensitive towards the Madhes agitation.

Similarly, it also called on the government and protesting parties to seek negotiated settlement of the issues.

Madhesi parties have been protesting for more than three months against the new constitution which they say discriminates against Madhesis.