He claimed that protesters have been deliberately attacking police posts, government offices, political party offices and forcing security forces to abandon their posts. "Protestors have been forcing security forces to abandon their bases and getting hold of the areas one after another," he said while adding that the protests were also infiltrated by criminals.Elaborating on the extent of the use of violence in the protests, Gautam drew the parliament's attention to the use of home made weapons by the protesters. "Protesters have been wielding bamboo stripes, sword, axe, spears, using petrol bombs to terrify public in an unprecedented level."
The minister argued that the violence might have been a response to the appeal made by some Madhesh-centric leaders in Tikapur of Kailali last month to carry out weapons for securing their rights. Despite the violent aggression expressed by the protestors, Gautam said that the government has instructed security forces for not using excessive force against the protesters. "Home ministry has instructed security forces to use force only for self defense."
He said that 29 people have been killed in the Tarai region in the recent protests that were triggered as reaction to the demarcation of federal provinces in the new constitution. These included one was toddler and 10 security personnel. 83 security personals, 112 protesters have been injured, while 43 government and 20 private houses and 24 government and 172 private vehicles have been vandalized during the protest, he informed.
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