Nepal forms probe committee to investigate Saptari incident

Nepalese police today formed a three-member committee to investigate the killing of four Madhesi protesters in police firing in Saptari district.
The Eastern Regional Police Office, Biratnagar, today formed the three-member probe committee headed by Senior Superintendent of Police Uttam Karki. SP Bhim Prasad Dhakal and SP Bidya Nanda Majhi are in the committee.
Four young Madhesi activists were killed when police opened fire to disperse United Democratic Madhesi Front supporters who had encircled the venue of a public meeting of the main opposition party CPN-UML in Saptari district Monday.
The police clashed with the cadres of the Madhesi Front as they were trying to disrupt the Mechi-Mahakali campaign launched in the Terai's Jhapa district on Saturday.

Following the incident, the government had transferred the Chief District Officer of Saptari and district chiefs of the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force on Tuesday.
Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, called a two-day general strike to protest the killing of youths in police firing in Saptarai district, bordering India.
In most of the 20 districts of southern Nepal, factories, industries and educational institutions remained shut due to the strike called by the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) yesterday. The UDMF has demanded that the victims be declared martyrs and compensation be given to their families.