The United Nations has expressed its sadness over the loss of life and injuries which occurred in a violent clash between cadres of Madhesi Morcha and police in Saptari district on Monday.

In a press statement on Tuesday, the UN office in Nepal said it is ‘seriously concerned by the escalation of tensions in the lead-up to the local elections announced for May’.

The UN office has urged all the parties to express their views in actions and statements instead of resorting to violence. “Violence has no place in the freedom of expression and assembly. We call on security forces to comply with existing national and international standards on the use of force,” read the statement.

Furthermore, the UN in its statement has encouraged inclusive and meaningful dialogue to create environment for conducting local elections.

Three people had died in Saptari on Monday when police opened fire to contain the escalating tension after cadres of Madhesi Morcha attempted to foil the main opposition CPN-UML’s awareness campaign in district headquarters Rajbiraj.