Indian killed as Nepal police open fire on Madhesi protestors

India also summoned Nepal ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyaya over the incident. Upadhyaya said a peace dialogue between the protesters and the Nepal government was being held. “This is a bilateral issue between India and Nepal; diplomatically we have to consult each other,” he added.

Ashish Ram of Raxaul in Bihar was killed as police opened fire on protesters at Shankaracharya Gate near Birgunj Customs, said reports. Ram received a bullet shot in his head and was declared dead at the hospital.

Following the development, New Delhi on Monday expressed ‘deep concern’ at the incident and said “it is monitoring the situation carefully”. “We are deeply concerned at reports coming in of firing today in Birgunj. An innocent Indian was also killed in the firing,” said Vikas Swarup, spokesman in the external affairs ministry.

“Causes underlying the present state of confrontation need to addressed by the government of Nepal credibly and effectively,” the MEA spokesman said. 

The government has advised transporters to exercise caution after they voiced concern about deteriorating situation across the border, he added.

Clashes erupted in different parts of Birgunj on Monday after Nepalese police baton-charged Madhesi protesters, burned down their tents and evicted them from the Miteri bridge at the India-Nepal border, opening the main Birgunj-Raxaul border trading point for the first time in 40 days. Violence in the area forced authorities to clamp an indefinite curfew.

Madhesis - who represent the interests of the Indian-origin inhabitants of Nepal’s Terai region (plains) - have been protesting close to the main trading point near Raxaul. 

Their agitation has led to a halt in supply of essential goods, causing acute shortage of fuel in Nepal.

Five protesters were arrested when the police intervened at around 4.30am to open the Birgunj-Raxaul trading point through which about 70 per cent of bilateral trade is done.