Clash over constitutional crisis in Nepal

Police kill protester

Nepali police shot and killed a protester yesterday after fresh clashes erupted in the country's southern plains, deepening the crisis over a new constitution, reports AFP from Kathmandu.
Police opened fire when a crowd of about 1,500 demonstrators started throwing stones and bottles at the district police office in the town of Gaur in Rautahat district, 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of Kathmandu.
"The police fired in self-defence after the protesters became aggressive, and unfortunately one (protester) was killed," district chief Narahari Baral told AFP.
Baral said the protest in Gaur had escalated since Saturday and a curfew had now been imposed in the area.
More than 50 people have been killed in clashes between police and people protesting against the constitution, which was introduced in September after a deadly earthquake pushed warring political parties to reach an agreement.
Demonstrators from the Madhesi ethnic minority, mainly from the southern plains, have been blockading the main Birgunj border crossing with India, saying the constitution leaves them politically marginalised.
Nepal is heavily dependent on India for fuel and other supplies, but little cargo has crossed the border from India since the protests broke out.

Clash over constitutional crisis in Nepal

Police kill protester

Nepali police shot and killed a protester yesterday after fresh clashes erupted in the countrys southern plains, deepening the crisis over a new constitution, reports AFP from Kathmandu. Police opened fire when a crowd of about 1,500 demonstrators started throwing stones and bottles at the district police office in the town of Gaur in Rautahat district, 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of Kathmandu. The police fired in self-defence after the protesters became aggressive, and unfortunately one (protester) was killed, district chief Narahari Baral told AFP. Baral said the protest in Gaur had escalated since Saturday and a curfew had now been imposed in the area. More than 50 people have been killed in clashes between police and people protesting against the constitution, which was introduced in September after a deadly earthquake pushed warring political parties to reach an agreement. Demonstrators from the Madhesi ethnic minority, mainly from the southern plains, have been blockading the main Birgunj border crossing with India, saying the constitution leaves them politically marginalised. Nepal is heavily dependent on India for fuel and other supplies, but little cargo has crossed the border from India since the protests broke out.