SARLAHI: Over 40 people were injured in a clash between Nepali Congress (NC) cadres and police on Wednesday afternoon.
20 people, including two Deputy Superintendents of Police and one Inspector of the Armed Police Force were injured in the clash. Similarly, 17 protesters were injured.
Police fired 20 rounds of tear gas to control the situation. The clash ensued as the NC was staging a protest accusing the police of not being impartial in the murder of one of its cadres Mahendra Ram of Ramnagar-7.
State Assembly member Birendra Singh said that the police indiscriminately fired tear gas and batons at the Congress leaders and cadres who had reached the District Police Office with their families demanding investigation into the murder and lodge a complaint.
He accused the police of not being impartial in the incident. “When the police refused to file a complaint in the murder case, we came to protest today with our family members, but the police chased us. Many of our workers were injured,” he said. “The role of the police in this incident is in doubt.”
According to the family, Ram was attacked by some groups while he was sitting in front of his house on October 7.
Critically injured in the attack, he was rushed to the district hospital. But as treatment was not possible there, he was referred to Birgunj for further treatment.
Ram died at the hospital on October 8 while undergoing treatment. The family is yet to receive Ram’s body. NC has demanded that those involved in the killing of Ram be declared a martyr and that legal action be taken against them.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Santosh Singh Rathore said that the investigation into the incident was underway and three suspects had been arrested.
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