3 killed in demonstrations in S. Nepal

Three ethnic Madhesi protesters were killed and eight others injured during violent clashes with the police personnel in Morang District of Southern Nepal bordering India on Thursday, officials said on Friday.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Tarini Prasad Lamshal told media that the police acted as the agitating Madhesi protesters tried to attack a political rally organized by the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) in Rangeli of Morang District.

According to Lamshal, the police personnel made attempts to stop the attackers with batons and tear gas before firing live rounds into the crowd.

"However, we were forced to open fire as the protestors turned violent and attacked us," the police said.

According to media, two protesters were killed in Rangeli and another in nearby Dainiya of Morang district.

Meanwhile, crucial talks between the Nepali government and the Madhesis could not yield any positive result on Thursday in addressing 11-point demands raised by the Madhesis which include redefining the seven provincial boundaries adopted through the new constitution.

The Madhesis have also continued blocking the major border points with India. The ethnic minority Madhesis have been launching agitation for the past five months claiming that Nepal's new constitution was not broad-based and some of the provisions would politically marginalize them.

According to the police, at least 50 protestors have been killed in police firing in the Terai region of Nepal bordering India. Endit