Kathmandu, August 17

President of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities Jagat Baram and eight others were injured when police baton-charged the protest rally taken out against the government decision to recruit over 9,000 employees in local levels.

Among the injured, Baram, Ram Nepali, Sonam Sherpa, Uspar Sunar are undergoing treatment at Model Hospital in Kathmandu. Member of Save Reservation Campaign Anand Gupta said protesters undergoing treatment at Model hospital had suffered serious injuries.

Gupta said the police also arrested Kausar Sah,  Dalmardan Kami, Arjun Serma, Raghu Thapa Magar, Tej Bahadur Kerung,  Shyam Limbu, Sonam Sherpa, Sabin Pulami Magar, Purkha Jit Rai, Mingmar Lama, Sura j Rai and Ganesh Tiruwa.

Gupta said among the arrestee, Ganesh  Tiruwa and Raghu Thapa Magar also suffered injuries when police baton-charged the protesters. He said police released them after they told the police that they wanted to take them to hospital for treatment.  Police also fired tear gas canisters in Putali Sadak to force the protesters to disperse.

Gupta said police used excessive force against the protesters when they were protesting peacefully. Gupta further added that ‘Save Reservation Campaign’ had organised a baton-rally today, but they were protesting without batons at Putali Sadak as police snatched their batons at Bhrikuti Mandap.

Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities and other groups working to empower the marginalised communities in the country are protesting against the government decision to recruit over 9,000 employees in local levels.

Meanwhile, Federal Public Service Commission has said that it cannot ensure reservation in all seats as there are only one or two seats in some local levels.