4 Killed by Nepal Police in Clashes Over Draft Constitution
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Version 0 of 1. KATHMANDU, Nepal — Four protesters were fatally shot by the Nepalese police on Wednesday amid clashes over Nepal’s draft constitution. The police opened fire after ethnic Madhesi protesters tried to set fire to government buildings, said Dipak Kaphle, a top functionary in the district of Mahottari, southeast of Kathmandu. A police official, Saurav Rana, said three of the deaths occurred in the town of Jaleswor after thousands of protesters with sticks and stones attacked officers, according to news agency reports. Since Aug. 10, 34 people have died in protests, including 10 police officials and a 2-year-old child, according to Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs. The Madhesis oppose the way provinces are being demarcated in the draft constitution and hope for new boundaries that will allow them to form majorities in two provinces. Another ethnic group, the Tharus, are pushing for their own province. Schools, markets and workplaces have been closed for nearly a month amid a general strike in much of the region. The country’s three major parties and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala have vowed to proceed with drafting the new constitution. |