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🇳🇵 Nepal /Crime & Justice

Security forces face questions over use of lethal force in Sunsari

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Security forces in Sunsari, Nepal, are under scrutiny for allegedly using excessive lethal force during a communal clash, resulting in one death and nine injuries.
  • The incident began with a dispute over loud music during a pilgrimage procession, escalating into violence despite police mediation efforts.
  • An investigation is underway, including examining a power outage that preceded the firing, with questions raised about whether minimum necessary force was used.

Security forces in Nepal's Sunsari district are facing serious allegations of using excessive lethal force after opening fire to disperse a communal clash on Sunday night. The incident in Dewanganj Rural Municipality resulted in the death of one individual and injuries to nine others, many of whom sustained gunshot wounds above the waist.

When a police team from the Kaptanganj Police Post arrived to mediate the dispute, more people gathered at the scene. Some in the crowd were carrying firewood, stones, bamboo poles, sticks and spears.

— Chandra Bahadur KhadkaDeputy Superintendent of Police, describing the escalation of the clash.

Om Prakash Mehta, a 30-year-old farmer, died from a gunshot wound to the abdomen while being transported to the hospital. The violence reportedly erupted around 10 pm in Kaptanganj, ward 3, when participants of the annual Bolbam pilgrimage passed through the market playing loud music. Objections from members of another community led to a verbal altercation that rapidly escalated into physical confrontation.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandra Bahadur Khadka, the situation worsened as more people gathered, some armed with makeshift weapons. Thirteen security personnel, including eight from Nepal Police and five from the Armed Police Force (APF), were also injured. A power outage shortly before the APF's arrival has added another layer to the incident, prompting a home ministry investigation committee to examine the disruption.

Initially, it was just an argument. Then gunshots rang out continuously and people started running.

— Jugesh DasAn eyewitness describing the moment the firing began.

Eyewitnesses claim security personnel fired indiscriminately after the area went dark. Police stated they resorted to firing after tear gas, baton charges, and warning shots failed to disperse the crowd. However, questions remain about adherence to the Local Administration Act, which mandates the use of minimum necessary force and firearms only as a last resort after adequate warning. The National Human Rights Commission has criticized the security response, suggesting it reflected a "punitive mindset."

punitive mindset

— Mohna AnsariNational Human Rights Commission member, criticizing the security response.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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