Nepali Congress lawmakers representing the Tarai/Madhes have called on the government to form a judicial committee to probe the Saptari incidents in which three protesters were killed in police firing during a mass meeting of the opposition CPN-UML.

Nineteen NC lawmakers on Tuesday issued a statement, calling the incident “suspicious” and terming the present crisis in the Madhes as “political”. “We believe firmly that any political demand should be addressed politically.

“The constitution provides freedom of speech to all but it does not allow making statements against social norms. Is it a constitutional step of the UML to launch the Mechi-Mahakali campaign by putting off the constitution amendment process?” the NC lawmakers questioned.

Blaming the UML leadership for making provocative statements to incite the

people in the Tarai, the NC lawmakers accused the second largest party of leaving the people agitated.

The Congress party, while expressing its deep sorrow over the incident, also demanded an investigation into the incident on Monday.

The NC lawmakers urged the government to take action against officials and security officials found guilty. They also appealed to all concerned to maintain restraint, requesting all the factions to resolve the standoff through dialogue.

Congress MPs from Province 2, where the incident happened, have blamed the speeches of UML leaders for the Rajbiraj incident.

In a meeting with Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi on Tuesday, they claimed that the Madhesi people had protested the UML’s functions because of their “hate speeches against Madhes”.

Minister Nidhi urged everyone to support the government in bringing the situation to normal.

Nidhi promised to address the concerns of lawmakers through the upcoming meeting of Cabinet.

NHRC begins investigation

KATHMANDU: The National Human Rights Commission has expressed serious concern over the killing of protesters in Rajbiraj on Monday. Issuing a statement, NHRC Spokesperson Mohna Ansari said the constitutional rights watchdog has started monitoring and investigating the incident closely.

The commission has demanded that the government provide appropriate compensation to the deceased and effective treatment for those injured in the incident.

To find out facts about the deceased and injured people, the NHRC has already dispatched its team from the Biratnagar-based regional office to Dharan where some of the injured are undergoing treatment. Another team from the commission’s regional office in Janakpur has reached Saptari to monitor the situation of the other injured protesters.

Ansari also urged all concerned not to obstruct the NHRC’s monitoring and probe, expressing concern over the attack on a team of rights monitors and vandalism on their vehicles in Saptari on Tuesday.

The commission also urged all the political parties to maintain restraint while organising their programmes.