81 rounds of tear gas fired, police claim petrol bombs were fired by protestors

BIRATNAGAR, April 22: Biratnagar became tense when there was a clash during the display of the dead body of Padam Limbu. During that time, the police fired 81 rounds of tear gas. According to Morang Police Chief SP Deepak Pokharel, the clash took place during the violation of the prohibition order. 

SP Pokharel claimed that before the clashes started, petrol bombs were thrown by the protestors. Pokharel informed that three policemen and six protestors were also injured in the clash.

One policeman has been taken to Neuro Hospital Biratnagar for treatment due to a head injury. Similarly, one of the protestors, Rajkumar Sherma of Jhapa Shivasatakshi Municipality 8, got an injury on his leg. The protesters said that the police fired rubber bullets, but the police said that they did not fire. According to SP Pokharel, he was cut by a bar blade while breaking the prohibition order. Similarly, Denij Rai of Itahari 2, and Chandrakumar Rai of Biratnagar 8 were also injured. The three of them are being treated at Paras Hospital in Biratnagar.

The clash took place at Rodshesh of Biratnagar during the demonstration of the body of Padam Limbu Lajehang, who was injured and died during the protest demanding the cancellation of the Koshi name. There was a clash between the police and the protestors during a massive demonstration in Biratnagar on March 19, demanding the cancellation of the Koshi name. In the same clash, Lajehang was injured on the head.

He was admitted to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan for treatment on 22nd March due to his head injury, but he died on the 24th. After that, the Provincial Renaming Joint Struggle Committee demanded that he be declared a martyr, proper compensation be given, and so on. The federal government has already decided to declare Lajehang a martyr and give compensation to his family, while the Koshi Province government has also decided to give compensation of Rs 3 lakhs to his family.

However, the Struggle Committee had been saying that they would not allow the body to be picked up until the name of the province was revoked. However, after a discussion of various sides, they agreed to do Lajehang's funeral after a month. Lajehang's body was in the mortuary of BP Pratishthan Dharan. Before Lajehang's funeral, their program was to offer tributes and pay respects at Dharan, Itahari, and Rodshesh Chowk in Biratnagar and conduct a circumambulation of the Koshi Provincial Assembly. A clash occurred during that time.

Now the protestors are moving from Biratnagar to Belbari, the police said.