Demo against proposed constitution

Eight cops killed in clashes with protesters in Nepal

Demonstrators armed with spears and axes killed eight police officers in western Nepal yesterday during escalating protests against a proposed new constitution, reports AFP from Kathmandu.
The government announced a curfew and plans to send in the army to Kailali district in the country's remote far west, where authorities said there were reports that three demonstrators may have also died.
"So far I can confirm that eight members of our security forces have been killed, including two paramilitary personnel," home ministry spokesman Laxmi Prasad Dhakal said.
"An indefinite curfew has been imposed in the area from 4pm today," Dhakal said.
Anger has been building for weeks in Nepal's western and southern plains after lawmakers struck a breakthrough deal on the long-awaited charter in June, spurred by April's devastating earthquake.
The charter was meant to draw a line under centuries of inequality but its plan to divide the country into seven provinces in a draft presented in parliament on Sunday has sparked fury among marginalised communities, who say the new borders will limit their political representation.
Monday's violence erupted as police attempted to prevent protesters from entering restricted areas and from vandalising government offices in the town of Tikapur, 420 kilometres (260 miles) west of Kathmandu, Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam told parliament.
"All of a sudden protesters encircled the police and attacked them with knives, axes, sickles and spears,” Gautam said. He said demonstrators also set fire to one of the paramilitary officers — although it was unclear if he survived the attack. “Inspector Ram Bihari Tharu of the Armed Police Force was burnt alive,” he said.

More than 40 security personnel were injured in the clashes and were taken to Tikapur hospital, district chief Raj Kumar Shrestha said.
Another official, deputy district chief Udaya Bahadur Singh Thakuri, warned that the death toll could rise.
“We have heard reports that... three protesters have also been killed, we are trying to confirm the details,” he told AFP.

Demo against proposed constitution

Eight cops killed in clashes with protesters in Nepal

Demonstrators armed with spears and axes killed eight police officers in western Nepal yesterday during escalating protests against a proposed new constitution, reports AFP from Kathmandu. The government announced a curfew and plans to send in the army to Kailali district in the countrys remote far west, where authorities said there were reports that three demonstrators may have also died. So far I can confirm that eight members of our security forces have been killed, including two paramilitary personnel, home ministry spokesman Laxmi Prasad Dhakal said. An indefinite curfew has been imposed in the area from 4pm today, Dhakal said. Anger has been building for weeks in Nepals western and southern plains after lawmakers struck a breakthrough deal on the long-awaited charter in June, spurred by Aprils devastating earthquake. The charter was meant to draw a line under centuries of inequality but its plan to divide the country into seven provinces in a draft presented in parliament on Sunday has sparked fury among marginalised communities, who say the new borders will limit their political representation. Mondays violence erupted as police attempted to prevent protesters from entering restricted areas and from vandalising government offices in the town of Tikapur, 420 kilometres (260 miles) west of Kathmandu, Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam told parliament. All of a sudden protesters encircled the police and attacked them with knives, axes, sickles and spears, Gautam said. He said demonstrators also set fire to one of the paramilitary officers although it was unclear if he survived the attack. Inspector Ram Bihari Tharu of the Armed Police Force was burnt alive, he said. More than 40 security personnel were injured in the clashes and were taken to Tikapur hospital, district chief Raj Kumar Shrestha said. Another official, deputy district chief Udaya Bahadur Singh Thakuri, warned that the death toll could rise. We have heard reports that... three protesters have also been killed, we are trying to confirm the details, he told AFP.