Biratnagar, January 28:

Armed Police Force personnel fired three rounds on a group of smugglers, who were trying to take back the illegally imported goods seized by the police, at Dainiya in Morang this afternoon. Owner of the goods Rajendra Shah was injured in the incident.

A patrol team of APF election security base camp had seized the goods worth Rs 50,000 that were illegally imported from India. Police opened fire when the smugglers hurled stones at the police when the seized goods were being taken to Choti customs office, Rangeli.

“We had to fire three rounds to bring the situation under control,” sub-inspector JB Rai said. The APF stated that Shah got hit when he was trying to flee.

However, Shah accused the APF of seizing the goods after raiding his godown.

He also accused them of thrashing him. Protesting the incident, locals shut Dainiya and Rangeli bazaar and also obstructed traffic on Rangeli-Dainiya road. The police have beefed up security in the area by deputing more security personnel.

The APF has handed over seized goods to the customs office.