Kathmandu, August 24

The government today declared Tikapur municipality and nearby areas of Kailali as “riot-hit zone” and decided to mobilise army with authority to shoot at sight anyone who violates curfew or enters prohibited areas.

An emergency meeting of the Central Security Committee — chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bamdev Gautam — took the decision after at least seven security personnel and one child were killed in Tikapur by Tharuhat supporters this afternoon.

By this evening, the Nepali Army was deployed in riot-hit zone from nearby barracks in Tegari and Lamki municipalities and situation was under control, the Nepali Army spokesperson Jagadish Chandra Pokhrel told THT.

Home Ministry Spokesperson Laxmi Prasad Dhakal said the Central Security Committee meeting also decided to clamp an indefinite curfew in Gaur of Rautahat after protests against the demarcation of provinces turned violent. The army has started patrolling in Gaur.

The security forces — as per the order of CDO — can also search private houses, godowns and stores without prior notice and interrogate people. The local authorities can also shut down education institutions and ban assembly of five or more people. It can declare areas under its jurisdiction riot-hit zone for a month initially, with the provision of extending the same for up to two more months on the approval of the MoHA.