3 killed as Madhesis clash with Nepal cops

In fresh violence in Nepal, three persons, including a woman, were killed on Thursday when the police opened fire to quell clashes between agitating Madhesis and ruling CPN-UML youth wing cadres in a town bordering India, forcing Prime Minister K.P. Oli to cancel his visit there.

Violence erupted in Rangeli municipality of Morang district after hundreds of activists of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLM-M) armed with batons, knives and petrol bombs tried to disrupt an event hosted by Youth Association of Nepal (YAN) to honour the PM.

The police tried to stop the clashes with batons, tear gas and blank shots, but as the protest became violent they were forced to fire at the crowd, home ministry spokesperson Yadav Koirala said.

Morang district officer Swayam Raya said three persons were killed during the clashes and eight others were also injured. The deceased have been identified as Draupadi Devi Chaudhary, Shivu Majhi and Mahadev Hrishi.