JHAPA, Oct 29: A high-level probe committee formed by Home Ministry has launched an investigation into the death of one Laxman Shiwakoti from today.

Shiwakoti, 11, of Arjundhara-11 in Jhapa, who had gone missing from his home on September 30, was found dead the following day in Birtamod Municipality-1.

The victim’s uncle Bishnu Prasad Shiwakoti has named eight persons including one Shuresh Pokharel of Birtamod-5 as involved in the murder of Shiwakoti, the police said.

The four-member committee led by Joint Secretary of the ministry Birendra Kumar Yadav reached the incident site on Saturday, and started inquiring about the death from today, said Superintendent of Police Bishnu Kumar KC.

The team held an interaction relating to the matter at a security committee meeting at the District Administration Office today morning before springing into action, he said.

The probe committee, which is asked to submit its report within seven days, includes Ramesh Kumar Bhattarai of Nepal Police, Deputy Inspector General of Armed Police Force Chiranjibi Adhikari, and investigation director of the National Investigation Department Harihar Poudel.

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.