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Police killed girl in Nepalgunj

One girl who was reported killed in the crossfire between security forces and the Maoists in Nepalgunj on Sunday was killed by the bullets of policemen, reports said.

Bhima Sunar, a policeman's wife, living in a rented room near the District Police Office (DPO) had invited neighbour Mamata Barma, who was killed in the incident, to keep her company for the night, as the situation in the town was tense for the last couple of weeks.

Sunar, who was also injured in the firing said, "We were watching TV around 6 p.m., when policemen entered through the main gate, guns firing, and ordered us to open the door," adding. "As soon as I opened the door, Mamata was hit by bullets."

According to her, even as she was hiding her two children under a chair, policemen fired indiscriminately from outside.

When journalists and human rights activists reached the room on Monday morning, Sunar's 5-year-old son Nabin, witness to the incident, showed them the bullet riddled door and a steel cupboard inside the room.

Security men in Nepalgunj have been using locals' houses as cover during clashes. "It is against the Geneva Convention to use private houses or property, directly or indirectly, during warfare," report quoted acting chief of regional office of National Human Rights Commission, Mohan Acharya.

However, Chief District Officer, Binod Adhikari, claimed that security men have been residing in locals' houses for their safety. nepalnews.com pb Jan 31 06