August 27, 2015
Police on Wednesday arrested 10 people for their suspicious involvement in killing of seven police personnel in the brutal Tikapur attack on Monday.
According to Nepal Police, the arrested have been identified as Sundar Lal Chaudhari, 35 of Joshipur-4; Khadga Bahadur Chaudhary, 55; Madhesi Janadhikar Forum regional Chairman Ram Prasad Chaudhary, 44; Ram Janam Chaudhary, 17, of Darakh-6; Narayanpur, Ram Kumar Khadariya, 20, of Manuwa-1; Sundar Lal Kathariya, 27; Dil Bahadur Chaudhary, 20; Raj Kumar Khathariya, 24; Hari Narayan Chaudhary, 22, of Manuwa-4; and Prem Bahadur Chaudhary, 41, of Bhajaniya-5.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Laxman Neupane, Inspector duo Keshav Bohara and Balram Bista, head constable Laxman Khadka, constable Lokendra Bd. Chand, Sr. head constable of APF Lalit Saud, and constable Ram Birahi Chaudhari, were killed by the protesters in Manuwa VDC-6 of Tikapur, Kailali.
A police officer’s two-year-old was shot to death by protesters who fired into the policaman’s home, presumbably aiming for the father.
The number of security personnel deployed in the border area in Kailali district has been increased and monitoring of people's movement has also been intensified. The move comes in the wake of Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bamdev Gautam's statement in Parliament that people from across the border had infiltrated into the mob that killed seven policemen.
However, India yesterday conveyed its concerns to Nepal over "unsubstantiated" statements made by Nepalese leaders over alleged intrusion by Indians in riot-hit areas, saying such actions could cause "misunderstandings" and "distort" perceptions about friendly bilateral ties.
Nor has the violence abated.
Defying the curfew in Tikapur on Tuesday, a group demanding undivided far-west set ablaze the house of lawmaker Janak Chaudhary of Madhesi People's Rights Forum (Democratic) in Tikapur Municipality-6. Likewise, they also set ablaze Fulbari FM radio station belonging to Resham Chaudhary. The fire was doused by security forces. Apart from the two houses, the irate group also set on fire some 40 shops in Tikapur market, claimed Lahuram Chaudhary, chief of Tharu Kalyankari Sabha. Locals have accused the administration and security agencies of not taking any action even as demonstrators set on fire private houses and other buildings.
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday recalled CDO, chief of Far-Western Police Office and chief of Armed Police Force in Kailali, accusing them of failing to carry out their duties and to maintain law and order.
The ministry has replaced CDO Raj Kumar Shrestha with Mohan Chapagain. Likewise, Chief of Far-Western Police Office DIG Ram Kumar Khanal was replaced by DIG Madhav Nepal and Chief of Armed Police Force Sadananda Chaudhary by DIG Suraj Bahadur Shrestha. Similarly, the ministry also posted Dinesh Amatya in place of the deceased SSP.
In the meantime, an onslaught of incendiary postings have mushroomed on facebook, many calling for the resignation of Home Minister Gautam.
Rajendra Mulmi, Country Director, Nepal, of Search for Common Ground, posted the following plea:
Please take down all the statuses and expressions that are adversarial, has potential to incite violence and perpetuate hate. I know we all are deeply affected by recent episodes of violence and want to vent out our anger, frustrations, and emotions. The need of time now is to show perseverance. Lets condemn the acts of violence and not fuel the vicious cycle of violence.
Likewise, civil society leaders have stressed on maintaining social harmony in the district. "The Tikapur incident has already stoked communal hostility. Hence, efforts must be taken to maintain social harmony," said Dil Bahadur Chaudhary, president of Tharu civil society. "Political parties should exercise patience and seek a solution from the top political leadership."
Demonstrators have been protesting against the new Constitution saying the proposed provinces fail to ensure political representation for marginalized communities. Nepal's main parties agree that there should be seven federal states, but smaller parties and ethnic groups oppose either the number or the structure of the states.
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