KATHMANDU: The shootout that took place on the day of the first-level local election on May 14 at Market of Kalikot district to which the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) candidate for ward chairperson lost his life was due to failure on the part of police administration to properly deal with the situation and exercise restraint, a field survey report says.

A field inspection report unveiled by a team of human rights activists states that inability of election officials and employees concerned, police and political parties, representatives and cadres to have timely cooperation and understanding that led to a minor dispute resulting in fatal consequence.

The report adds that police administration at the time failed to exercise patience and opened fire haphazardly. However, the report praised the Nepal Army deployed in the polling centre for showing a high level of tolerance and responsible role in such an adverse situation.

The NA deployed in the site was found to be highly tolerant during the incident, the report states, adding a huge loss of lives and property could have resulted had the NA not exercised restraint at the time.

NA had rescued RPP candidate Dhanrup Batala (45) and his family members, and made arrangements for their treatment after the election officer and employees and police left the site by throwing out the ballot box. Batala later succumbed to bullet injury.

A team comprising advocate Ekraj Bhandari, associate professor and advocate Dr Gopal Siwakoti 'Chintan', INSEC representative Kali Bahadur Malla, advocate Leeladhar Marasini and journalist Diya Chand had been at Malkot to study about the fatal incident.

The dispute regarding the fake ballots could be settled easily through dialogue, the report states.

The police administration was found not forewarning the crowd before opening the fire which was not blank as well, according to the report.

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