KATHMANDU: Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday accused the United Democratic Madhesi Front of using children and women as human shields during violent protests in southeastern Nepal.

In a statement, MoHA Spokesperson Laxmi Prasad Dhakal said the UDMF brought children and women from rural areas of Dhanusha and used them as human shields while attacking the government offices and vandalising as well as setting public properties on fire.

MoHA further expressed its concern over the escalating violent activities and attacks on security personnel and their families in the mid-Tarai area in the UDMF leadership.

At least three protesters were shot dead in police action in Janakpurdham of Dhanusha and one in Jaleshwar of neighbouring Mahottari today.

One police official, who was injured after being thrashed by a group of protesters, was later brutally killed by another group in Mahottari. His body was found in a paddy field at Sonkhada.

Dubbing the attackers as anarchic and criminal groups, MoHA said Assistant Sub-Inspector of Armed Police Force, Thaman BK, was first targeted by a gang mobilised by the UDMF and he was later killed while being taken to the Janakpur-based hospital for treatment in an injured state on an ambulance. The ambulance was also set on fire.

According to MoHA, the attackers defied curfew and targeted security personnel brandishing domestic weapons since Friday morning.

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