SURUNGA, JHAPA: Jhapa's Birtamod Municipality has remained tense today after police intervened in 'peaceful' rally organised by the local people demanding action against the murderer of Laxman Shiwakoti.

Police opened fire in the air, shot over a dozen rounds of teargas shells, and charged baton at a mass rally that was taken out from Shanishchare road under the police escorting, the agitators said.

The protestors accused the police of thrashing passersby and local people, subsequently, the protestors also hurled stones at the police. The number of injured in the riot is yet to be ascertained, they said.

Superintendent of Police Bishnu KC denied opening fire, while admitting that the police had to shoot teargas shells to force the agitators to disperse.

An 11-year-old Shiwakoti of Arjundhara Municipality-11 had gone missing from home since September 30, and his body was found the following day in Birtamod Municipality-1.

The victim's uncle Bishnu Prasad Shiwakoti has reportedly named eight persons including one Shuresh Pokharel of Birtamod-5, involved in the murder of Shiwakoti.