Bhairahawa, March 13

Bhairahawa-based traders took to the streets today demanding security following a second shooting attempt on trader Harish Sethiya.

Sethiya, the owner of an electronic and mobile shop, was targeted while returning home from his shop in front of Nepali Army’s Garrison Battalion on Bank Road last evening. He is safe.

He was elected as an executive member of Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bhairahawa recently and had faced similar attempt on life earlier too. A group of unidentified persons had opened fire at him on February 14.

Protesting the incident, traders of Bhairahawa downed their shutters and staged a rally demanding stern action against the shooters and security guarantee. The traders’ rally passed through various parts of the town including Bank Road, Gallamandi, Narayanpath Maitripath, Nayasadak and Buddhachowk.

Shops and industries on the Bhairahawa-Lumbini industrial corridor and Bhairahawa-Dhakadhai area remained shut. Protesting today’s incident and demanding guarantee of security, local chapters of Industry and Trade Association, Marwadi Service Association, Siddharthanagar Civil Society and the local CCI chapter, submitted memorandums to the District Administration Office and District Police Office today.

Regarding yesterday’s incident, the locals had detained one of the shooters instantly and handed him to the police. The detained person who had opened fire at the trader has been identified as Indian national Ramjan Musalman, who was riding pillion on an Indian-number plate bike when he opened fire at the trader. As soon as the incident took place, the locals chased him and took him under control.

SP Shyam Gyawali said they seized a pistol from Musalman. “We are now searching for the bike rider,” he said.

Meanwhile, a series of shooting incidents in the district has terrorized locals. After the murder of brick kiln operator Durga Tiwari a year ago, furniture entrepreneur Binod Kharel lost his life in a shooting incident in Devadaha three months ago. “In the wake of a series of shooting incidents, we urged the authorities concerned to manage security in the district,” said CCI Rupandehi.

On his part, Chief District Officer Hari Prasad Mainali received the memorandum and urged the concerned side to stay away from strike and agitation, citing its adverse impact on business.