SARLAHI, June 30: A demonstrator was killed and another injured when police opened fire on an agitating mob in Sarlahi.

The incident took place when the police opened fire to chase the demonstrators who were blocking the East-West Highway.

Dewan Mahato, 27, a local resident from Ishwarpur Municipality, Gaurishanker, died on the spot after a bullet hit him.

“Over a dozen policemen were also wounded after the agitators pelted stones at the security men”, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Pratit Singh Rathor told Republica Online. 

“The demonstrators shut down the highway at 12 pm in the noon. They started throwing stones and chased the police toward the nearby jungle. We had no other way, but to retaliate. So, at around 2 pm, 13 rounds and tear gas were fired", he added.

Stones, pebbles, and sand were regularly extracted from the river flowing through Sarlahi and Mahottari.

The locals were agitated after Amit Rai, 12, drowned in a pit near the river and died a few days ago. The demonstrators blocked the highway as part of their agitation on Sunday. The fight broke out after police tried clearing the blockade and normalizing the situation.

According to police sources, both Amit and Dewan’s bodies are at the district hospital in Malangawa now.

The highway is open now. Traffic flow is normal.