TANSEN, Jan. 21: The Rampur area of Palpa district, which was tensed following the revelation of the murder of local resident Sonu Shrestha, is now gradually returning to normalcy.
The situation turned normal thanks to a six-point agreement reached following a discussion among the local administration, police, victims, journalists and human rights activists.[break]
According to the agreement, police will make public the facts about the murder and maintain peace and security while the concerned family would receive the dead body and perform the last rites.
Similarly, those injured during protest would be provided free treatment.
Abducted a month back, Ms Shrestha was found dead on January 18, which made the relatives and locals irate and aggressive towards police administration, leading to protest and subsequent curfew.
Curfew continues, hundreds demonstrate in Rampur
(TEK NARAYAN BHATTARAI)
PALPA,: Hundreds of people, mostly women, in Kisanbari bazar, near the Rampur area where curfew has been clamped since Sunday, are staging demonstration on Monday, demanding action against the killer of 29-year-old Sonu Shrestha, who was earlier found dead after going missing for over a month.
The protesters have taken to the streets, saying they are not sure yet if the culprit would be brought to book. The demonstrators are advancing to the restricted area to defy curfew. More women from neighboring villages are also joining the protest. [break]
A day earlier, the local administration enforced curfew in the area after the situation looked going beyond control, with as many as 18 police personnel and three protesters getting injured in a clash that ensued after irate locals laid siege to the Rampur area police office and vandalized it.
The incident site lies some 60 kms from the district headquarters Tansen. The protesters believe that Sonu’s husband Om Bahadur could have his involvement in the murder. The autopsy of Sonu´s body was conducted on Monday itself.
Meanwhile, the district administration office held talks with protesters. According to chief district officer (CDO) Nawaraj Baral the curfew will remain in force unless the victim´s family receives the dead body and performs the last rite.
Related story
Palpa Museum opens formally
