Surkhet, December 22

One temporary policeman was killed in police firing in Kalikot headquarters Manma today.

Police had opened fire after a clash erupted between Nepal Police personnel and temporary police personnel as the latter staged a protest saying that there had been anomalies in the pay they were entitled to receive.

The deceased has been identified as Bibek Aidi, 30, of Raskot Municipality, Kalikot. He has received the bullet in his head. Temporary personnel had staged the demonstration saying that District Police Office, Kalikot had cut their benefits.

District Police Office was tensed after the temporary personnel picketed the police office and pelted stones at the office. The clash broke out as the police tried to contain the temporary police personnel. Police had opened fire as the situation went out of control. Injured after receiving the bullet, Aidi breathed his last while undergoing treatment at District Hospital, Kalikot.

With the completion of polls, a programme was organised to hand over salary to the temporary police personnel before they were given farewell. An eyewitness said that police had charged batons against temporary police personnel as they staged the protest saying that they were about to be paid less than what was promised.

After the death of their colleague, agitating temporary cops set the Police Post on fire at Zero Point in Manma and they vandalised the police post at Pratima Chowk. They had staged the demonstration with Aidi’s body.

Meanwhile, Kalikot police said police were forced to open some rounds of tear gas shells and some rounds of bullets to bring the situation under control after temporary police personnel pelted stones at police personnel and the police office. Kalikot police chief DSP Subash Chandra Bohora said temporary police personnel had spread rumour that they were going to be paid less than they were promised. He said police had opened fire to disperse the mob. He said the incident was unfortunate and disappointing. “The situation has become normal," he added.

As many as 973 temporary police personnel were appointed for provincial and parliamentary polls in Kalikot.

A temporary policeman said they had staged the protest as district police office was preparing to give Rs 52,000 per person though they were supposed to receive Rs 58,445 each.