Nepalgunj curfew extended, one killed (6:40 pm):
Fresh reports say at least one person was killed in police action when protesters tried to break the curfew in the mid-western town of Nepalgunj Tuesday afternoon.
One Kamal Giri was killed and 15 others were injured in security action during a protest in front of the District Administration office at around 4:30 pm, reports said. It was not immediately clear whether the dead was a protester. Police had fired shots in the air at different places as protesting Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi) activists tried to break the curfew.
The local administration had clamped a six-hour curfew in Nepalgunj from 11:30 am after two communal groups clashed at different places from early morning. Angry mobs, allegedly sanctioned by the NSP (A), vandalised shops, torched public vehicles and manhandled local residents.
The border town remained tense throughout protests and clashes continued despite the curfew. Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been mobilised for security in the town.
Meanwhile, the Banke district administration has extended the curfew in Nepalgunj indefinitely in view of rising tension.
Saying that the draft interim constitution failed to address the demands of Madhesi communities, including that reconstitution of election constituencies for the constituent assembly election, federal system and land reform, the NSP (A), which is an ally of the ruling SPA, had called general strike in Terai areas on Monday. nepalnews.com mk Dec 26 06