Nepal: One killed after violence over demarcation of states

One person was killed in police firing and dozens of others injured in separate incidents of protests in Nepal on Tuesday over demarcation of new federal states in the country’s new constitution.

Updated on: Aug 19, 2015, 02:11:36 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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One person was killed in police firing and dozens of others injured in separate incidents of protests in Nepal on Tuesday over demarcation of new federal states in the country’s new constitution.

A 35-year-old was killed and over a dozen others injured in Saptari district of eastern Nepal bordering India when police fired to control protesters who had torched a police station and attacked a police van.

Protests had turned violent after several people were injured in a baton charge by police in Bhardaha in an effort to clear the east-west highway blocked by members of a joint Madhesi front.

“The protesters burnt police vehicles and attacked the local police station with petrol bombs. Police resorted to firing after efforts at dispersing the mob by using baton charge and tear gas failed,” said Nepal Police spokesperson Kamal Singh Bam.

Over a dozen people including policemen were hurt in Jumla district in mid-western Nepal after protesters defied curfew.

Clash between protesters also took place at Mirchaiya in Siraha district in eastern Nepal where a vehicle was torched.

Violent protests have been taking place in Nepal’s Madhes plains bordering India and the mid-western region following a deal between four major parties earlier this month on dividing the country into six federal states.

Protesters are unhappy with the number of states and also the boundaries demarcated by the parties, which are to be included in the country’s new constitution. Major parties have assured that they would look into the matter and redraw the boundaries, if needed.

Nepal’s constitution drafting process which began in 2008 is in its final phase following deals between major parties on most contentious issues.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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