The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) enforced a general strike in Tarai districts on Tuesday, a day after three protesters were killed in police firing in Maleth of Saptari.

Marketplaces and schools remained shut while vehicles stayed off roads in much the region throughout the day. Protesters torched and vandalised government offices, CPN-UML offices and a vehicle belonging to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

In Saptari, SLMM activists staged demonstrations in Rajbiraj, Topa, Sakhada, Bhardaha, Kanchanpur, Rupani and Hanumannagar among other places since early morning.

Rajbiraj remained tense throughout the day due to sporadic clashes between banda enforcers and the security personnel. Police lobbed some teargas canisters. No one was hurt.

Demonstrators torched the office of a local peace committee at Rajbiraj-6 and vandalised offices of Rajbiraj Municipality, Nepal Telecom and Rastriya Banijya Bank. They also set an Armed Police Force check point near the Koshi Barrage and a traffic police check post in Kadmaha on fire.

Protest rallies were organised also in Morang, Siraha, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Bara and Parsa among other districts. Protesters vandalised some vehicles and demanded strong action against the those involved in the Monday’s fatal incident. They also burnt the effigy of UML Chair KP Sharma Oli.

Meanwhile, the Maleth area mourned the deaths of three persons on Tuesday.

Locals accused security personnel of entering the settlement and opening fire on people indiscriminately, killing two and injuring others.

According to the bereaved family, Sanjan Mehata, who died in Monday’s police firing, was not affiliated to any political party. He had been preparing for Public Service Commission examination, said Mehata’s brother.

Ananda Sah, another victim, was a senior auxiliary health worker at a health post in Diman.

Of the injured in Monday’s clash, 13 have returned home after treatment, while five are still in hospital.

They are receiving treatment at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. One of the injured, identified as Indra Yadav of Madheypura-1, Saptari, is listed in critical condition.