The supporters of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) staged protests in various parts of Saptari on Wednesday, demanding that the persons killed in police firing on Saturday and Sunday should be declared martyrs by the state.

The SLMM has refused to receive the bodies of the deceased until the government declared them martyrs and provide compensation to their families. The bodies are kept at the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences.

Meanwhile, health professionals demonstrated against police brutality in Rajbiraj area. They also expressed solidarity with the SLMM protest. Hospitals in Saptari are closed for the last three days to protest the police attack on the staff and patients of Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital.

Similarly, Saptari chapter of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) also staged a protest against local

police administration, accusing that the Armed Police Force personnel assaulted four reporters in Rajbiraj on Sunday. The local administration had issued a prohibitory order in Bhardah, Rupani and Rajbiraj until 9:00 pm on Wednesday to avert violence and possible clashes.

In Siraha, the SLMM cadres allegedly torched a bus (Na 5 Kha 8479) and a car (Ga 1 Cha 9637) at Lahan-1 on Tuesday night. Police said the two vehicles were parked at the time they were set on fire. In Itahari of Sunsari district, locals took to the street to protest against the Indian blockade and the SLMM protest.