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Unrest in Nepal worsens

Ameet Dhakal

KATHMANDU: The unrest in eastern and central terai is worsening by the day as two more protesters died in Malangwa, Sarlahi, some 400 km southeast of the capital city.

Police opened fire when hundreds of protesters defied curfew orders and marched towards the District Administration Office. Police said 20 demonstrators were injured in the firing, four of them seriously. The four have been airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment.

Superintendent of Police Madhav Joshi said the police resorted to firing after some people from the crowd opened fire.

Following the clash, the District Administration Office, Sarlahi, has clamped an indefinite curfew in Malangwa municipality and surrounding villages.

Similarly, in the southern town of Birgunj, at least 21 protesters were injured when police opened fire to disperse a mob advancing towards the District Administration Office. Five of the injured are said to be in critical condition.

Cabinet meet today

Meanwhile, Nepal's Cabinet is meeting on Monday to take key decisions to address the terai unrest that is destabilising Nepal's fragile peace and threatening to conflagrate into communal violence.

Sources said Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula is likely to resign, fulfilling the chief demand of the agitating Madhesi People's Right Forum to begin dialogue with the Government.

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