Nepalese police shoot dead two anti-constitution protesters
Nepalese police have shot and killed two protesters during fresh demonstrations against a recently-adopted constitution in the Himalayan country’s restive south.
The victims were killed in the Bhardaha and Rupani areas, some 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the capital, Kathmandu, after clashes broke out between police forces and demonstrators late on Saturday.
The protesters, who were armed with petrol bombs, spears and bricks, were trying to block the main East-West highway.
“The police were forced to fire after the protesters became violent and attacked,” said local police chief, Bhim Dhakal, adding that over 40 protesters and police forces were also injured during the scuffles.
A curfew was imposed on Sunday in parts of the violence-hit areas to stop further tension, Dhakal said.
“The security situation is relatively calm, but there are still minor protests despite the curfew,” the police official added.
Nepal has been in chaos since the adoption of a landmark constitution in September. The new document restructures the country as a federal state made up of seven provinces.
The document has drawn angry reactions from residents of southern Nepal, who argue that the new internal borders will discriminate against historically-marginalized communities. Clashes between protesters and police have left nearly 50 people dead.
Members of the marginalized groups demand their own separate province. The groups include the Madhesi and Tharu ethnic minorities, who mainly inhabit the country’s southern plains.
Negotiations between the protesting groups and the government have made little progress, but both sides have vowed to continue talks.
Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli has called for a meeting of the main political parties later on Sunday to discuss the protesters’ demands.
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