Indian civilian killed, two others wounded as Nepal Police opens fire near Bihar border

Tensions increased on the India-Nepal border on Friday when Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) open fired at Indian villagers, killing a man and leaving two with serious bullet injuries. The victims were admitted to a local nursing home and a person identified as Lagan Yadav was taken into custody by the Nepal APF.

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Director General (DG) Kumar Rajesh Chandra said, “The incident is highly localised in nature and there are two versions which are coming. The villagers are saying that the Nepal APF provoked them while the Nepalese authorities are maintaining that the villagers provoked them.”

 He also informed that the situation is under control and a detailed report has already been submitted to the Home Ministry. In addition, the Sitamarhi SP is also in touch with his Nepalese counterpart in Sarlahi district.

Around 8.40 am on Monday, some villagers from Jankinagar village of Sitamarhi district in Bihar entered into an altercation with the Nepal APF. It is being said that Lagan Yadav’s daughter-in-law, who happens to be from Nepal, was coming to Jankinagar to meet her in-laws. Some of her relatives, who lived in Jankinagar, had gone to fetch her but they were stopped by a patrolling team of Nepal APF. When the group of people was stopped by the Nepalese police, it made calls to the village and soon several villagers rushed towards the spot. It is alleged that after a heated argument, the Nepal police open fired on the Indian villagers and three people were badly injured.

The injured have been identified as Umesh Yadav, Uday Thakur and Bikesh Yadav. All of them have been admitted to a local nursing home for treatment. Later, Bikesh Yadav who received bullets on his chest succumbed to the injuries and died.

The SSB DG said that Nepal’s authorities are maintaining that they fired 10 rounds first in the air but when the crowd refused to disperse, they fired 5 rounds at them. Sitamarhi SP Anil Kumar said that senior officials are camping in the area and attempts are on to find the whereabouts of Lagan Yadav.