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Nepal constitution protests leave five dead | Nepal constitution protests leave five dead |
(35 minutes later) | |
Nepalese police have shot dead five protesters in the south of the country angry at a draft constitution. | Nepalese police have shot dead five protesters in the south of the country angry at a draft constitution. |
Those killed belong to the Madhesi ethnic community, who are culturally close to Indians across the border. | Those killed belong to the Madhesi ethnic community, who are culturally close to Indians across the border. |
Police told the BBC they were forced to open fire after they were attacked with guns and knives. | Police told the BBC they were forced to open fire after they were attacked with guns and knives. |
The new constitution will see Nepal divided into federal states, but the Madhesi and other groups fear they are being marginalised. | The new constitution will see Nepal divided into federal states, but the Madhesi and other groups fear they are being marginalised. |
Of the five killed, officials said four were shot dead after protesters vandalised police posts and government offices in Birgunj, about 90km (55 miles) south-west of the capital, Kathmandu. | |
Another man was killed in the nearby town of Kalaiya. | |
The latest deaths bring the total killed in political violence in recent weeks to at least 20 people. | |
Nepal has been governed by an interim constitution since the monarch was abolished in 2008. | |
After years of wrangling, political parties only agreed on the draft this year after being given fresh impetus from April's devastating earthquake. | |
Its supporters hope the new constitution will boost economic development and cement peace with Maoist rebels who fought a decade-long insurgency. | |
But there is disagreement over the proposed borders, with minority groups saying they will not be granted sufficient rights. | |
Hindu groups have also been demonstrating, demanding that Nepal be declared a Hindu state - it became a secular republic after the monarchy was scrapped. |
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