A parliamentary team has arrived in Saptari district to investigate into the Maleth clash that claimed five lives.

A sub-committee formed under the Social Justice and Human Rights Commission of the Legislature-Parliament on Thursday met the family members of three victims killed in the incident. The five-member team led by Mukhtar Ahmad also talked with the local people who witnessed the violent clash and inspected the incident site. 

“What was the fault of my son? Don’t we have rights to live independently in the country?” Laxman Mehata, the father of Sanjan, asked the lawmakers during the visit. The victims’ relatives demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and action against the guilty. 

Three persons were killed when the security personnel opened fire to contain the situation after a violent clash with Madhesi Morcha cadres who were trying to foil CPN-UML’s programme in Maleth on March 6. Two other injured succumbed to their injuries during treatment.

Talking to the media, Ahmad said the preliminary investigation suggested  the security personnel used excessive force during the clash. They opened fire  without taking any alternative measures, like using water cannon, firing rubber bullets, to contain the situation, he added.