Barahathawa remains tense as protests continue

JANAKPURDHAM: Kith and kin of closed markets and obstructed vehicular movement Jay Shankar Sah, who was killed in police firing at Barahathawa in Sarlahi on Friday, closed the markets and obstructed the vehicular movement on Sunday.

The relatives of Sah obstructed the vehicular movement by burning tires on the street. They have been chanting slogans against the police administration and the government since this morning.

Police opened fire after the protest called by the five parties turned violent.

Hotel operator Sah of Sarlahi died in the police firing. His body is still at the incident site.

The protesters have forwarded an eight-point demand which includes declaration of Sah as a martyr, action against police personnel who opened fire and mayor and upgradation of primary health centre into 50-bed among others.

On Saturday, Chief District Officer Komal Prasad Dhimal tried to convince the deceased family members at the Area Police Office, Barahatahawa.

But the family members said that they would not come to the negotiating table until their demands are met.

The Home Ministry on Saturday formed a three-member probe committee under the headship of Joint Secretary Thaneshwor Gautam to investigate the incident.

DIG Surendra Mainali and Investigation Director at the National Investigation Department Bhim Bahadur Budhathoki are the members of the committee.

After Sah died in the police firing, the local administration clamped curfew in Barahathawa market area in Sarlahi till 8 am on Saturday to avert any untoward incidents.