The families of those who died in police firing in Rupandehi district on Tuesday have accused security forces of shooting indiscriminately at a busy marketplace.

Four-year-old Chandan Patel, the boy’s father Raj Kumar, 14-year-old Ranjana Singh Chhetri and 40-year-old Bindu Lakaul were killed when police opened fire at Bethari Bazaar. Witnesses said security personnel resorted to firing after some of the protesters entered the marketplace. The protesters were fleeing from police after vandalising some trucks at Lumbini corridor.

Buddha Kumari Singh, grandmother of Ranjana, said her granddaughter had come for Teej festival, but police gunned her down.

Chief District Officer Bishnu Prasad Dhakal said that the security forces were compelled to open fire because they were being attacked by the supporters of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhes Morcha from two sides.

Dhakal claimed that before the shooting the Morcha supporters, including women and children, had attacked a police station and some vehicles plying on the road.
Local Morcha leader Mahendra Yadav accused the security forces of shooting innocent civilians at a busy marketplace. He claimed that several others civilians were also killed in the incident, some of them inside their houses. Yadav’s claim could not be immediately verified.

Meanwhile, police arrested three persons on Wednesday in connection to Tuesday’s clash at Bethari Bazaar. Police said Ajaya Barma, district chairman of Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, Sheenibash Yadav, district chairman of Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party, and Aashish Giri were taken to custody for investigation.