Nepal Army kills 3 in Bardiya National Park

SURKHET, March 11: Nepal Army personnel deployed for the security of Bardiya National Park shot dead three women from Hariharpur of Surkhet who had entered the park to collect the bark of Kaulo tree on Wednesday.



The deceased have been identified as Amrita BK (29), Chandra Kala BK (12) and Devisara BK (35) of Hariharpur VDC-2. [break]



A local, Nabaraj Koirala, said their bodies were found at Kalikasthan at around 1 p.m. on Thursday.



According to Koirala, seven persons had entered the park on Wednesday morning.



Gopal BK, who was one among the four persons who managed to flee, said an army patrol from Jwaladal Battalion had arrested the trio. He said the army killed them after capturing them.



Nepal Army, however, said the trio were killed in an encounter and they were poachers. A press statement issued by the Directorate of Public Relations of Nepal Army on Thursday said the army recovered three muzzle loaders, four bullets and logistics from the clash site.



The statement said the army has arrested one Krishna BK of the same place.



Locals however claimed that the army´s statement is a lie.

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