Kathmandu, April 9
A Parliamentary Committee investigating the death of five people in Saptari’s Maleth last month says lapses on the part of the government triggered the incident.
Five people were killed outside the venue of a UML Mechi-Mahakali rally in Maleth after security personnel opened fire at protesters demonstrating against the UML.
The committee, led by Congres MP Mukhtar Ahmed, has directed the government to create favourable environment for local UML leaders who were displaced following the incident to return home.
The committee had visited Maleth and talked to locals, security personnel and members of the Madheshi Morcha. It has held that the UDMF’s attempt to disrupt a UML rally was undemocratic.
Similarly, it says that police opened fire even when there was no need to do so, and the deceased sustained bullet wounds in the chest, and the head. None of the injured were shot above the knee, the committee said.
It has recommended that the government take action against security forces who opened fire indiscriminately and take measures to prevent a repeat of the incident.
