Protesters in western Nepal have killed at least seven police
officers as violent clashes broke out over the country's proposals for a new
constitution.
Thousands of
people had come out onto the streets in defiance Monday, encroaching a
"prohibited zone" imposed by the administration since Friday.
A mob surrounded
officers in the district of Kailali, in the far west of Nepal as officials
attempted to enforce restrictions. The protesters used axes, scythes and spears
to attack the officers, Raj Kumar Shrestha, chief district officer of Kailali
District, told CNN.
A child was also
killed during the attack, Shrestha said. There were no reports of protester
casualties.
Unwelcome
changes
The proposed changes to the constitution
-- which has been under review since 2008 following a Maoist insurgency which
deposed the country's monarchy -- would federalize the country, dividing it
into seven provinces.
Members of the
country's Tharu minority have been vocal in their opposition to the plan, which
they say would see the group further marginalized. Minorities across the
country have been protesting the proposal, demanding their own provinces.
Burned
alive
Police officer Ram Bihari Tharu was also
burned alive by the protestors, Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam told parliament.
He characterized the attack as pre-planned and said that the government would
deploy military forces to keep order.
Sixteen other
officers were injured in the attack. They're currently undergoing treatment at
Nepalgunj Medical College in Banke, and authorities are preparing to airlift
them to the capital.
Bodies
airlifted
The brother of Nepal Police Senior
Superintendent Laxman Neupane, one of the slain officers, told CNN preparations
were underway to perform his last rites in Kathmandu, and that the remains of
all officers killed were being airlifted from Kailali to Kathmandu Tuesday
afternoon.
Nepal Police
Chief Upendra Kant Aryal, meanwhile, vowed to bring the killers to justice, and
called upon all security personnel to remain alert and diligent in their
duties.
The curfew was
extended indefinitely following the attack in Kailali.
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