Surkhet, August 16 District Administration Office clamped indefinite curfew in Jumla this evening after situation went out of hand and police had to open fire to control unruly demonstrators, injuring 13 of them. Sunday was  the eighth day of protests in Jumla and the demonstrators have been demanding special autonomous Karnali province. Clashes between the agitating protesters and the security personnel ensued after the demonstrators removed signboards from District Administration Office and other government offices in district headquarters Khalanga. Police first fired tear gas shells to take the situation under control but since it didn’t help they had to open fire. As many as 13 demonstrators sustained bullet injuries, while 15 were hurt in the baton charge. Padam Prasad Timilsina, Santosh Budthapa and Hari Kunwar, who sustained bullet injuries, are said to be in critical condition and were airlifted to Nepalgunj for treatment, whereas others are undergoing treatment at District Hospital Jumla. Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoist spearheaded today’s demonstration as per the understanding between the demonstrating parties. According to Devi Lal Thapa, former CA member, they had scheduled to stage a rally and conduct a corner meet. But that could not materialise, as the demonstration turned violent abruptly. “We were planning to torch the map of Province No 6 and stage a peaceful rally,” claimed Shiva Lal Dangi, District Chairman of Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party. Chief District Officer Dipendra Raj Poudel claimed that the security personnel didn’t shoot directly at the demonstrators but only in the air. He, however, could not explain how the protesters sustained bullet injuries. Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Pashupati Shumsher JB Rana said he received reports from the district that shots were fired indiscriminately in Jumla today. “Karnali residents’ demands are genuine and I urge the parties to address their concern by respecting their identity,” he said. When asked if he was demanding identity-based federal units for Karnali residents, Rana said, “Their identity question should be addressed through appropriate measures.” Gautam asked to explain cops’ brutality Kathmandu, August 16 Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang today asked Home Minister Bamdev Gautam to inform the Parliament about the government’s response to the ongoing movements in different parts of the nation since the last few days. Speaking at today’s Parliament session, lawmakers expressed concern about the police suppression of the movements launched by different communities, including Tharus, following the demarcation of six federal units. Following the concerns of lawmakers, Speaker Nembang ruled that the home minister should answer them during the next meeting of the Parliament. Nembang said the government should respect people’s right to protest peacefully. Addressing the Parliament, Unified CPN-Maoist lawmaker Gauri Shankar Chaudhary said police had suppressed the peaceful movement of Tharus in Jhapa, Bara, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Kailali and Kanchanpur. UML lawmaker Jay Prakash Tharu, Janak Raj Chaudhary of MJF-Democratic, Federal Socialist Forum Nepal’s Lalbabu Raut and RPP-Nepal Chief Whip Dilnath Giri condemned police action against the demonstrators and sought home minister’s clarification on it.