1 killed in anti-constitution demonstration in central Nepal

One protester was shot dead in violent clashes with police in Central Nepal on Sunday, two days after the Madhesi parties announced fresh agitation against the new constitution in the Southern plains of the Himalayan nation.

18-year-old Shekh Tabarej was killed in police firing in Gaur city of Rautahat bordering India when police cleared a highway obstructed by the agitating Madhesi party cadres, Chief District Officer Narahari Baral told media.

During the incident, police fired tear gas shells and bullets in air to disperse protesters and take the tensed situation under control. Following the clashes, the local administration has clamped down a curfew in the district.

According to government officials, the protests against federal model have claimed 50 lives so far.

As many as 50 people including eight police personnel were killed during violent clashes in the recent months in the Terai region.

The Madhesi parties have been launching movement in the Terai region expressing their dissatisfaction on demarcation of seven federal provinces adopted in the new constitution of Nepal on Sept. 20 this year.

However, rounds of talks between the Nepali government and agitating Madhesi parties for the past two months failed to end the prevailing unrest in the region. Endit