KATHMANDU, Sept 8: At least one person has died, three journalists were injured and scores of others were hurt after police fired into the air and used dozens of rubber bullets to disperse agitating young protesters outside the federal parliament on Monday.
The identity of the deceased has not yet been confirmed, but sources at the Civil Service Hospital have verified the death.
At least three journalists were injured during the protest. Shyam Shrestha, a cameraperson with Kantipur Television, sustained injuries from rubber bullets while reporting from the field and is currently undergoing treatment at the Civil Service Hospital.
Mr Speaker, Either Prove or Apologize!
Similarly, Dipendra Dhungana of Naya Patrika and Umesh Karki of Nepal Press were also injured by rubber bullets fired by security forces.
The Civil Service Hospital reported that hundreds of protesters are being treated for injuries, though details are still emerging. Videos showing people being dragged to nearby hospitals and ambulances have been widely circulated on social media.
SSP Bishwa Adhikari at District Police Range, Kathmandu, said they were compelled to fire into the air after the situation went out of control.
Protesters had broken the glass of the parliament’s main gate and forcefully entered the premises. They also set fire to the main entrance.
Following the violence, the government enforced a curfew around Baneshwor and other sensitive areas, including Lainchaur and Baluwatar after the ‘peaceful’ protest turned violent.
