MAHENDRANAGAR: Four youths of Kanchanpur’s Jhalari VDC were injured when a police patrol shot at them last night.

The police opened fire at the youths, who too were on a patrol of the area, suspecting them to be looters at 10:30pm. The police team had reached Kalapani of the VDC acting upon the information that some houses were being robbed in the area.

The injured youths include Gopaldutta Joshi, Hariprasad Joshi, Bhanudev Bhatta and Krishna Mahara. Gopaldutta sustained bullet injuries in his right hand while Hari received the same in his hand and thigh. Bhanudev had his right leg injured and Krishna received a bullet injury on his eye in the police shootout.

After minor treatment in Mahakali Zonal Hospital, Gopal and Hari were referred to Kohalpur for further treatment while the other duo is receiving medical care in the zonal hospital. The patrol team led by sub-inspector Lal Bahadur Eairi of the area police office is said to have shot at them. The youths accused the police of firing without warning and asking who they were. They also alleged that the police were drunk.