Tension escalated in the Laukahi market, Sunsari, after an auto-rickshaw driver was killed by gunfire from the Armed Police Force. Police have fired tear gas to bring the situation under control.
Koshi Province DIG Binod Ghimire said that a few rounds of tear gas were used.
“Tear gas was fired to control the situation. The situation is now gradually returning to normal,” DIG Ghimire said.
On Thursday at around 1 am, a team of the Armed Police Force deployed for smuggling control opened fire in Koshi Rural Municipality–1, killing a resident, 45-year-old Bijay Sah. He was returning from the Indian side with goods including sugar, detergent, and tobacco. The Armed Police fired at him near his home, and he was hit by two rounds.
Following Sah’s death, angry locals have been protesting by blocking the Laukahi section of the East–West Highway. The agitated group has also set fire to and vandalised a temporary Armed Police post.
DIG Ghimire said preparations are currently underway for talks at the CDO’s office.
