Curfew imposed in Birtamod after tensed situation

JHAPA, Oct 27: The District Administration Office, Jhapa, has imposed curfew in Birtamod, Jhapa after the situation remained tensed following a clash between locals and the police on Friday.

The clash erupted when the police intervened in peaceful rally organized by the local people demanding action against the murderer of the 11-year old Laxman Shiwakoti.

The police opened fire in the air, shot over a dozen rounds of teargas shells, and baton charged at a mass rally that was taken out from Shanishchare road under the police escorting, the agitators said.
They accused the police of thrashing passersby and local people. The protestors also hurled stones at the police, they said. A few have been reported injured in the riot.

The curfew has been imposed from Buspark area in East, Charpane in West, Mahananda Chowk in North and Birta Bazaar in South from 1:30 pm today till further notice, according to DSP Bishnu KC.

Shiwakoti of Arjundhara-11 had gone missing from home on September 30, and his body was found the following day at Birtamod-1. The victim’s uncle Bishnu Prasad Shiwakoti has filed a complaint against Suresh Pokhrel including other eight persons of Birtamod-5 as the murderers.